It’s funny that I just read a character in a book ask another character - an English scholar - for the etymology of ‘doldrums’. It went unanswered, but it made me curious for the same - and then this essay floated across my homepage.
The doldrums are a liminal place, an in-between state; unsteady, unclear, unsafe. A transitional zone. They are also always temporary. You’ve just got to hang in there until you reach the other side of whatever it is you are enduring. Then life begins anew.
To me the second is worse. At least, as the first one regards, one is fighting for something (for life, in relation to a storm in a boat), which makes us, human beings feel alive. Doing nothing day after day must be, apart from extremely boring, after a certain time it becomes pointless.
Agreed. Although a storm is overwhelming, at least the urgency can activate your adrenaline and your sense of "the next best thing I can do." Doldrums, while less dangerous, are existenially perilous. All the motivation and "what can I do now" has to come from within.
This series has been so engaging. Thank you. Love the etymology exploration of "doldrums." You also taught me a new adjective, "becalmed." Love that idea, so full of tension, of a "superficial calm" that actually sets off anxiety. Relevant, timely, informative. Thank you again!
It’s funny that I just read a character in a book ask another character - an English scholar - for the etymology of ‘doldrums’. It went unanswered, but it made me curious for the same - and then this essay floated across my homepage.
Beautifully written. 🤍
Thank you!
And I love these little serendipitous.
Wow! What sort of book was it?
‘The Women’s Room’ by Marilyn French ☺️
I’ve been there. I’ve met so many who are stuck there.
Yes. Some people never seem to get out
The doldrums are a liminal place, an in-between state; unsteady, unclear, unsafe. A transitional zone. They are also always temporary. You’ve just got to hang in there until you reach the other side of whatever it is you are enduring. Then life begins anew.
To me the second is worse. At least, as the first one regards, one is fighting for something (for life, in relation to a storm in a boat), which makes us, human beings feel alive. Doing nothing day after day must be, apart from extremely boring, after a certain time it becomes pointless.
Agreed. Although a storm is overwhelming, at least the urgency can activate your adrenaline and your sense of "the next best thing I can do." Doldrums, while less dangerous, are existenially perilous. All the motivation and "what can I do now" has to come from within.
This series has been so engaging. Thank you. Love the etymology exploration of "doldrums." You also taught me a new adjective, "becalmed." Love that idea, so full of tension, of a "superficial calm" that actually sets off anxiety. Relevant, timely, informative. Thank you again!