Summer has arrived, and with it, an ennui that I can't seem to kick | Suzy Fleming Leonard

The summer ennui is back, and I'm not sure how to fight it.

The only things that seem to hold my interest these days are "Blue Bloods" reruns, crossword puzzles and endless games of Spider Solitaire. I'd add cuddling the dogs to my short list, but they have made it clear that, while they love me and never, ever want me out of their sight, cuddling isn't in their job descriptions.

I envy people with endless motivation.

My best pal somehow manages to finish three work projects and unloads the dishwasher before we meet for our Saturday walks. At 7:30 a.m.

My husband cuts the grass, trims the hedges, cleans the pool filter, weeds the flower beds and washes the cars, all before noon.

Meanwhile, I keep reminding myself that he isn't intentionally pushing open the sliding back door in an overly aggressive manner while I practice my own form of multi-tasking: watching Hallmark movies and napping until the dryer buzzes.

I asked friends for advice. They came back with read a good book and binge-watch a show on television.

Those suggestions only serve as a reminder that I've had to say goodbye to some of my favorite fictional companions in the past couple of weeks. I just finished reading "The Crossing Places," the final book in Elly Griffiths' series about mystery-solving forensic archeologist Ruth Galloway. The ending was perfect, but I'll miss Ruth and her crusty cohort, DCI Harry Nelson. We've hung out together since 2009.

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So, too, will I miss Ted Lasso and the gang. The final episode of the Apple TV series dropped earlier this month. The soccer (excuse me, football) coach and his merry band of misfits kept me company during some of the darkest days of the pandemic. In a world where people seem to be increasingly self-centered, "Ted Lasso" represented the belief that kindness counts and putting others first can be more rewarding than winning.

Three years of Ted and Roy Kent doesn't feel like nearly enough.

Other advice included "sit on the porch with a fan and a glass of lemonade" and "sip a bright sparkling cocktail."

Both of those seem better than morosely scrolling through NextDoor complaints about rowdy kids in golf carts and Facebook rants about restaurant tipping.

I also like the suggestion from a college buddy, who said, "Don't fight it. Embrace the ennui."

Maybe he's right. After a few more days of wallowing, I can start looking for another series to love. There are plenty of books on the shelves and many more shows on the streaming services.

The ennui will pass, and I'll summon the energy to help with the yard work, or at least fold a load of towels.

Until then, though, can someone teach my dogs to cuddle and my husband to open the slider in a kinder, gentler manner?

Suzy Fleming Leonard is a features journalist with more than three decades of experience. Reach her at sleonard@floridatoday.com. Find her on Facebook: @SuzyFlemingLeonard or on Instagram: @SuzyLeonard. 

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: How do you beat the summertime blues? Books, TV, dogs help