I’m amazed at how easy it is to get stuck in a rut. Often, we don’t even realize it’s happening. And to tell the truth I’m quite surprised I’m one who did get stuck in a rut.

My problem was always I was too busy with too much to do, all of which were wonderful things I loved doing. Since retirement, my biggest problem was finding time to do it all.

But what happens when we are no longer capable of doing much of what kept us so happily busy?

Because my husband is no longer able to bike or kayak and has health issues, I also had to stop doing the activities I once loved.

I can’t manage to lift my kayak onto my car’s roof, and without David’s trailer, I can’t transport it to the water. I know better than to go kayaking on my own, so I’ve been searching for a kayak buddy.

My friend Pat reinforced the message never to kayak alone. An excellent kayaker with 20 years experience, she had no reservations about kayaking alone in the bay. She always wore a safety vest and didn’t stray far from shore.

But one day when two big racing boats passed her, their wave action made her kayak flip. When it did, she hit her head and lost consciousness, with her face in the water. If two fishermen on the dock had not been there to rescue her, she would have died. She learned to never kayak alone — and the lesson resonated with me.

It was easy to find a kayak buddy when our Port Charlotte Kayak club was active. But one by one people dropped out because it got too hard for them.

I’ve been hunting for a kayaking buddy with the same intensity as some might do a treasure hunt.

I’m doing everything I can, meanwhile, not to stay in a rut. Staying connected with friends is important.

When was the last time you called someone from your past?

Many of us get caught up in life and gradually lose track of friends we don’t often see. I try to keep in touch with cherished friends. It’s a real pick-me-up when we do touch base.

I used to enjoy getting together with my friend Gloria. We never seemed to run out of things to talk about. But then I became consumed with rebuilding my house after a hurricane and fighting with the insurance companies to get them to honor my policy.

There is only so much room in my brain, and I think I had to use every brain cell to stay focused on what was most important to me: getting back in my house. For almost two years it seemed like it would never happen. With a lot of prayer and compromise we finally settled the claim and I was able to draw a normal breath.

But in the process, I lost contact with many of my friends. I’m ashamed at how long I’s been so long since I called Gloria, but I have resolved to revive our friendship.

Between my building woes and the changes COVID-19 bought to my activities, I understand why I became stuck in a rut.

So what am I going to do about it? I believe after we realize we have a problem the next question should be what are we going to do about it.

I made a list of some of the things I am going to do to restore vitality in my life.

I’m sharing it here, thinking I can’t be the only person who might be stuck in a rut.

Many people suggest volunteering. I found the perfect fit with writing articles for our home association newsletter. I’m meeting so many fabulous volunteers I never would have met. But I wish it were more than once a month.

Now I’m looking for a totally new activity.

When was the last time you tried something new?

One counselor said we should never say no when we’re asked to do something.

So I’m signed up for a bunco group, an upcoming chair yoga class and a night of musical trivia. I’m not wild about those prospects, but I think it’s important to give everything a try. It beats sitting in the house.

Think about it. How often do you try something totally new, or something not quite in your comfort zone?

At the very least it’s getting me more active.

Sometimes we don’t know how much of a toll COVID took on our lives.

Many of us stopped doing things in big groups and haven’t gotten back to pre-COVID days.

The same is true for county and community activities. Quite a few of those activities ended because of the pandemic. And as I mentioned in an earlier column, our county closed community centers and county gyms when COVID hit. I’m still waiting for community centers to reopened.

In the meantime, it takes a bit more effort to stay active. But I’m doing it.

Here’s the good news. Being aware of how I spend my time has already paid dividends.

I no longer find my days melt away in a blur. Instead, I am more aware, more energized and more appreciative of all the small things in life.

Sometimes our life just needs a little fine tuning.

Email Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcastnet.