On Solitude, Cycling, and Whatsapp

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The more I use Whatsapp, in the Post pandemic age, the more toxic I find it. Last night I wrote something innocent. I wrote about rotisserie chicken and the temptation to have some before drinks. So far, so normal.

Someone I never met, and never talked with, in person, put a crying emoji and I don't remember whether there was a comment or not. I wrote about how plants and trees have distress signals too, and that we should worry about their emotions too. There was a response but I never saw it because my response and another were deleted.

The impact on my emotional well being was negative, to the point that it bled into this morning. It's by spending time with the cycling community that I recharged. I am sporty, so we have the same values. I was cycling alone, at the back, feeling down. Those at the back slowed, and chatted with me, bringing me out of my solitude, and erasing my isolation, and it recharged me.

There was a time when Whatsapp communities were friendly and social, but now, more than ever, I feel like we're walking on egg shells not to offend people.

I am an introvert, but I am not an introvert because I enjoy solitude. I am an introvert because it's so easy to be misunderstood, that sometimes it's easier just to be quiet and observe, than try to be included, and be rejected. I've felt this way since I was in primary school.

Thursday I could go drinking with the people who don't accept me for who I am, and I could do it again on Friday. If I do, though, it will impact my fitness and ability to keep up on Saturday's ride.

I gave up on drinking culture, and the hiking community, especially in large groups, because of a clear difference in values. That's why I gravitate towards cycling communities. Yesterday's incident reminds me that I want my life to be centered in the physical world, and minimise my dependence on WhatsApp and other unhealthy platforms.

It's good that those two cyclists drew me out of my introversion during the ride. I will enjoy the cycling community until snow and ice puts a stop to rides for this season. It was frosty this morning.

#ambition #community #emotional #hangovers #health #isolation #mental #solitude #sports

WebMD.com says the best way to avoid a hangover is to limit how much you drink or not drink at all. Well it’s too late for a lot of us on this New Year’s Day. That said, the health information website does provide these remedies that can help (if your 3 a.m. breakfast of cheesy eggs and french toast didn’t work):

https://flip.it/3.LGEJ

#Science #Hangovers #Health #HappyNewYear

🐗 Hangover cures are everywhere in Japan — but do they work?

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/12/06/lifestyle/effective-hangover-drinks-japan/

#holidays #japan #alcohol #hangovers #althealth

The #museum of #hangovers in #zagreb was pretty cool. Wearing beer goggles and trying to navigate was a little too nauseating. The lenses have me double vision, but even more distorted.

Forgive the manky hair. It was a hot day

And my eyes aren't really that far up on my head. That must've been the goggles

Back in my college days, my go-to hangover treatment was an Arby's Giant roast beef sandwich, large curly fries and their largest Coke. Something about the combination of salt and caffeine, carbs and protein in that meal always made me feel better.
I don't abuse alcohol like that any more. But if I did, I'd head to #Arbys straightway. Even though I never eat fast food, I'd make an exception for a hangover.
This is on my mind because one of my kids doesn't look so good this morning.

#hangovers

Game 154: Twins vs Hangovers

https://wgom.org/2023/09/23/game-154-twins-vs-hangovers/