Published on ReluctantPickle.com – for the hesitant, the humiliated, and the halfway-decent.

😒 Stage 1 – Denial

“Pickleball? Nah, I’m more of a golf person.”
You laugh at the name, scroll past the memes, swear it’ll never be you.
(It will.)

🫠 Stage 2 – Peer Pressure

Somebody needs “a fourth.” Suddenly you’re gripping a loaner paddle from Larry.

Quick gear tip: If you’re caving, at least cave with something that won’t snap in half – the Franklin Starter Set{:rel=”sponsored noopener”} is on a stupid-good sale.

🥴 Stage 3 – Over-Confidence

Your first serve lands in. You think you’re a prodigy.
You start googling $139 paddles and “pickleball shoes that won’t destroy my knees.”

Deal of the day: ASICS Gel-Renma court shoes{:rel=”sponsored noopener”} – half price till midnight.

😅 Stage 4 – Reality

Barb (age 68) dinks you into oblivion.
You mis-call the score.
You discover the kitchen rule the hard way.

🧠 Stage 5 – Obsession

You’re watching YouTube drills, quoting rules, and muttering “third-shot drop” in your sleep.
Your Amazon cart is judging you.

🤕 Stage 6 – Injury or Existential Dread

Either you tweak a hamstring or you stare at the ceiling wondering what life choices led here.
You vow to “take a break.” You don’t.

🙃 Stage 7 – Reluctant Acceptance

You arrive early, paddle emoji peeking out of your bag, pretending this was your plan all along.
Welcome. You’re one of us now.

📬 More Reluctant Wisdom