You may be familiar with the acronym FOMO—fear of missing out. I experienced a serious case of FOMO recently, and I am working to banish these negative thoughts from my mind. The feelings started creeping in when I logged on to Facebook to view photos posted by one of my girlfriends who is spending a month touring Tuscany. Another friend recently returned from a two-week river cruise in Europe, and family members are touring Greece and the eastern Mediterranean. Another girlfriend is touring Morocco and North Africa, with all its incredible sights, colours, and foods. The latest hit came this morning when my neighbour popped in to let me know she’s leaving for a two-week trip to Machu Picchu.

Sheesh! My latest trip was to SuperStore to pick up my online curbside grocery order. After that, we went to Halibut House for a lunch treat of fish and chips. I love my friends, and I celebrate their travel experiences, many of which we have also taken in the past. I’m not envious, however, I am feeling like I should pull my finger out and do something. Seeing the beautiful pictures on FB reminds me that I should get off my backside and experience things while I’m still ambulatory.

This is a great time of year with spring getting ready to slide into summer. Having experienced seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in years past, I recognize winter as a bad time of year to feel anything but discouraged. The greater world’s problems of climate change, the political disaster unfolding daily in the United States, and ridiculous wars only fuel these feelings. I need to get outside and expose myself to more sunlight (in safe amounts) to lift my spirits.

My husband and I have been fortunate enough over the last few years to make a temporary winter escape to Florida to recharge our batteries and boost our levels of Vitamin D. Shitty Canadian winters are not conducive to feeling good. Our winter getaways have meant a more active social life, more fresh air and exercise, and no worries about slipping on ice or being house-bound until the snow melts. Thanks to Trump and his band of crazies, all of our Canadian friends have recently put their Florida vacation homes up for sale. They no longer feel welcome or safe in the United States. Who knows what kind of insane, undemocratic proclamation Trump’s going to issue next that might jeopardize Canadians?

In 2022 I visited Paris to attend a one-week women writers’ retreat. I enjoyed my time enormously, but the whole time I was there, I kept reminding myself that, because of my age and my husband’s health, it might very well be my last trip to Paris. Perhaps I was premature in thinking such negative thoughts, as people much older than I am still travel and live full lives. Travelling, however, is not the only way to enrich our lives. Hobbies and social connections are not to be discounted in the fulfillment equation. Forest bathing is a new activity I’ve recently heard about. It involves venturing into wooded areas where you stop and sit or lie down to absorb the peaceful, positive, healthy energy generated by nature. We’ve all done it, but never attached a name to it, so we know exactly how refreshing and fulfilling it can be. Since I’m blessed with a lovely backyard, I can forest bathe right outside my back door.

Many decades ago, on an episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Mary Richards experienced feelings of FOMO and general malaise similar to what I recently experienced. She described her life in bored tones as getting up in the morning, going to work, going home, preparing something to eat, watching TV, going to bed, and repeating the same routine day after day. Ho hum. When the same routine was repeated back to her in a different tone of voice that reflected excitement, anticipation, and joy, her daily routine took on an entirely different meaning.

It all comes down to attitude, doesn’t it? As a retired boomer, every day is Saturday and what Gen X, Y, or Z’er wouldn’t love to be living that life? I’m healthy. I have a circle of amazing friends, and enough money to keep me housed, clothed, warm, and fed without any significant worries. What more could one ask for? It seems I just need an attitude adjustment.

Now that we have more daylight and (hopefully) sunshine, the trees are a sea of different greens and textures, and early flowers are poking through. We have a lot to look forward to. Lilac season just ended, and my peonies are next to bloom. I’m finally enjoying my backyard oasis, reading in the shade, and taking a nap in the warm breezes if I feel like it. We all go through times when we’re feeling down, but Like Mary Richards, sometimes we just need a little reminder of how lucky we really are. It puts things into perspective. Hubby and I are still here, still mobile, well-fed and housed, and able to partake of most of what life has to offer. That’s not to be trivialized. My wine glass is half full of icy Pinot Grigio, and life is definitely good.