The doldrums refer to the equatorial region of the world’s oceans where sailing ships often became becalmed due to light, variable winds. [1][2][3] I have been there having crossed the equator twice, both times on a nuclear-powered cruiser. Wind for our sails was not a problem. Yes, I am no longer a low-life Polywog, but a bonified Shellback.
While Wednesday/yesterday I did have a 0900 meeting with my dialysis nurse for my monthly lab draw and other normal Fresenius workups, it was all more-or-less ho-hum. My six-foot 200-pound dialysis nurse was in tears; a dialysis patient, not one of hers, died from a nonrelated dialysis ailment. I only include this comment as an example that the Fresenius teams DO care – and show it. The highlight was meeting my wife (of 62 years don’t you see) for breakfast at our Country Club on Pecan Plantation. So I AM in the Doldrums. See below for more on this subject.
The doldrums is the area around the equator where the northeast and southeast trade winds converge, causing a zone of calm with little to no wind. [1][3] This region is also known as the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). [1][3]
Sailors dreaded getting stuck in the doldrums, as their ships would be left stranded without wind to power their sails, sometimes for days or weeks. [1][2][3] This lack of progress and feeling of being trapped led to the term “doldrums” also being used to describe a state of inactivity, stagnation, or low mood. [1][2][4]
For example, one could say “The company’s sales have been in the doldrums for the past quarter, with no sign of improvement.” [2] This usage compares the stagnation of the business to a sailing ship becalmed in the windless equatorial doldrums.
Citations:
[1] https://study.com/academy/lesson/doldrums-definition-location.html
[2] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doldrums
[3] https://www.britannica.com/science/doldrums
[4] https://www.theeap.com/employees/down-in-the-doldrums-it-might-be-seasonal-affective-disorder-s-a-d
[5] https://www.dictionary.com/browse/doldrums
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