Confessions of a Pickleball Addict

Hi fellow pickleball fanatics! My name is Jason and I’m here to admit, I have a problem – a pickleball addiction. It all started innocently enough, I just wanted to try a new sport and get some exercise. But now, I eat, sleep, and breathe pickleball. I’ve even started dreaming about it! I can play and keep score in my sleep. Think that’s impressive my hands are so fast they outwardly sometimes swing in the real world during these highly intense competitive matches. If someone in my dream tries to hit me in my face with the Pickleball I wake up instead of ducking.

I’ve come to realize that pickleball addiction is a real thing, and I’m not alone. In this article I’ll share the signs of pickleball addiction, my personal journey to becoming addicted, and some tips for managing your addiction.

1. Signs of Pickleball Addiction – It’s important to recognize the signs of pickleball addiction, so you can get help before it’s too late. Here are a few red flags to watch out for:

- You plan your days around pickleball games/tournaments

- You get irritable when you can’t play pickleball

- You’ve skipped work/school to play pickleball

- Your social life revolves around your pickleball buddies

- You spend more money on pickleball gear than you do on groceries

2. My Journey to Becoming Addicted – I’ll admit, I was skeptical about pickleball at first. But after my first game, I was hooked. I started playing every chance I got, and entered a tournament to test my skill set unrefined skills. We got killed and I mean we were killed. In four games we mustard a grand total of just over half the points needed to win one game when all our scores we tallied. Not to be deterred within a month I was back playing a tournament and I have not stopped since.

It was all downhill from there. I found myself checking the weather forecast, hoping for good conditions for pickleball. I started watching YouTube videos to improve my gameplay. I even started wearing pickleball-themed clothing. Before I knew it, I was fully addicted.

3. Tips for Managing Your Addiction – In all seriousness, pickleball addiction can be a problem. But that’s not to say you should give up the sport altogether. Here are some tips for keeping your pickleball addiction in check:

- Set limits for yourself – only play a certain number of times per week

- Don’t let pickleball interfere with your responsibilities (work, family, etc.)

- Take breaks when you start to feel burned out

- Remember, it’s just a game – there’s more to life than pickleball (gasp!)

4. The Bright Side of Pickleball Addiction – While addiction of any kind is generally seen as a negative thing, there are some upsides to being a pickleball addict. For one, you make a lot of new friends – the pickleball community is known for being welcoming and friendly. And of course, playing pickleball is a great way to stay in shape and improve your coordination. Plus, it’s just plain fun!

In conclusion, pickleball addiction is a real phenomenon, and one that demands attention. But with a little self-awareness and moderation, you can continue to enjoy the sport without letting it take over your life. And who knows, maybe someday there will be a 12-step program for pickleball addicts. Until then, I’ll see you on the courts or at the Pickleball rehabilitation facilities that will soon be built all over America. These facilities will help us with our gluttony but until then I am one hundred percent addicted to the greatest game on earth, Pickleball.