Just like any other middle-class parent, I’ve taken my kids to all sorts of activities over the years. Soccer, language classes, swim lessons. Piano and music theory. Art camps and Scouts.

One they all stuck with was karate, and they have all earned their junior black belts. My two oldest children have since gone away to university; my third child who is still high school age moved on to other activities. And so it was just my youngest still going as she loves it and wanted to carry on into the adult program.

And at some point — I don’t remember exactly when — she started campaigning for me to join her.

I have to say, I wasn’t keen. I’m in my fifties, and while I have kept active with things like kettlebells, yoga, summer time swims and the occasional hike, I’m no one’s idea of athletic. Indeed, I am what would charitably be called potato-shaped, and slightly asthmatic to boot. Karate at the local dojo (Kenpo, in this case) involves a tabata-style opening warm-up (I hate running), moderate amounts of pain, and close contact with other people.

Still, my daughter was quietly relentless in the way that only thirteen-year-olds can be, and so it was I found myself struggling to find a gi and a white belt that would fit. (This was … a humbling experience.) I told myself it wouldn’t hurt to try it, specially since it didn’t add anything new to our already pretty busy weekly schedule.

I was ridiculously nervous for my first classes. I feel like, and almost certainly look like, Po from Kung Fu Panda. A few months in and I’m still messing up our opening salutation. Oh and it did hurt to try it. I have the bruises to prove it.

Reader, I love it.

Love. It.

I suppose there are a number of reasons why. It’s physically challenging. It’s mentally challenging, because you have to remember various forms and techniques with esoteric names. There are drills, yes, but there’s such a wide variety of them that it’s not boring in the way that being on a treadmill can be. It’s a martial art, so inherently cool, especially if you have enjoyed the odd action film now and then. And it’s been really good for my relationship with my daughter. We rock out to hype music after a practice session. She gets to kick me without penalty. I’d like to think I’m modelling something positive for her.

More than anything else though, it’s just fun. I’d almost forgotten what that was like.

I say all this not to convert you to the Kenpo way, but to observe: as grim as the political and climate situation is right now, life can still be full of unexpected pleasant surprises. Never in a million years did I see myself as a 50-something first-time karate student, but here we are. And I certainly didn’t think I’d enjoy it as much as I have been.

That unexpected joy is helping reinvigorate the rest of my week. I have more energy, and more focus. Setbacks are easier to cope with. I doomscroll less, and write more.

I recognize that not everyone will have either the time or money to take up something like karate, and maybe health and mobility issues are considerations as well. But I would encourage you to look around to see what you could do. Perhaps it’s creating art or doing a craft. Start a regular weekly card game with your friends. Find some old colouring books and have an adult colouring night with tea or something stronger. Take a course, or do a workshop with other people. Bonus points for going out of your comfort zone and meeting people from other cultures. Get outdoors if you can.

The current system is pushing us to be alone, afraid, and joyless. Stuck inside, glued to our phones, addicted to gacha games or endless social media reels and AI slop.

Challenge that. Challenge yourself. Who knows what you might discover?

Visit the blog at Unexpected Joys.