This is the Worst Tea Party Ever

fuzzygalore yamaha fz-07

Anyone in my life is probably aware that I am not a very good friend. That isn’t to say that I don’t love people, or their friendship doesn’t have a deep meaning or lasting value for me. It’s more like, I don’t know how to participate in their lives.

I think about them, find them fascinating, appreciate their courage, wit, wisdom, and tenacity. But there is some barrier that I’ve created that won’t seem to allow me to give myself over to the process of partaking in a two-way relationship. Nearly everything is done from a distance.

Maybe I’ve talked about it before, but I feel most safe, confident and able to move freely through the world when I am on my motorcycle, dressed in my gear, wearing my helmet. Those are the moments when I am breathing in the life around me and am open enough to connect. It’s when I feel the safety of not being laid bare and I will let you come closer. It’s when I feel that we are friends in both directions.

Yes, I realize that probably makes no sense – saying that I am open and engaged when I am encased in protective clothing. You see me, but not all of me; you happily consume the pre-programmed narrative. And because the costume is so specific, rarely does the dialog veer away from the bubble of this perfect activity and it’s trappings. And while the conversation is often metaphorically something beyond motorcycling itself, that ruse makes the conversation possible.

Fuzzygalore

When did I become so closed off, so fearful of being seen? I can’t quite put my finger on it. I suppose it doesn’t really matter. These examples of the things that make me withdraw in person sound crazy but what the hell, I’ve already burned that bridge:

I’m at the point where it is a struggle for me to expose my arms above the elbow. The thought of someone seeing both of my naked shoulders or upper arms makes me squirm. Oh, and it is cringeworthy for you to see my face from less than 2 feet away, especially in daylight. Add to that the fact that I’m fixated on the idea that I smell horrible at all times. And I obsessively pick at my face, sometimes for like for 45 minutes at a clip until whatever imperfection I was picking at is now really something to look at. Shitty admission: I’ve been late to work because of that in particular. In short, I feel like if I freely deliver up just how gross I am, you will reject me and I don’t want that kind of anguish.

What the fuck is all that? It’s nuts! But, it’s my truth. And no external well wishes, sympathy, compliments or anything changes these things.

These… quirks… must’ve been bubbling, generating steam for a long time. Then last year, the pressure became too much to bear and I fucking cracked. I wish it weren’t true but I’m still dealing with the fallout. These unwanted guests at my tea party won’t take the hint and hit the road. Day in, day out I try to find a way to throw their asses out to seemingly no avail.

There is nothing for me to gain by telling whoever you are these things. In fact, I’m sure it makes people think I’m a psycho. And while they may, in fact, be right, tattling on myself just feels like the right thing to do.

I’m broken but trying.

Motorcycles are my refuge. Each ride, each time I open myself up to a wider circle, each time I tiptoe outside of my comfort zone, I am shown by example that my fears never culminate to my worst case scenario. It happens over and over again. And yet for now… well, you know.

Fuzzygalore

Rachael is the whimsical writer behind the 20+ year old Girlie Motorcycle Blog. As a freelance blogger, she is on a mission to inspire laughter, self-examination, curiosity, and human connection. Girlie Motorcycle Blog can be found on several Best Motorcycle Blog lists.

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7 Responses

  1. Mike says:

    You are who you are and that’s all you ever have to be. One of my favorite quotes is by Otto Rank: For the only therapy is life. The patient must learn to live, to live with his split, his conflict, his ambivalence, which no therapy can take away, for if it could, it would take with it the actual spring of life. Nobody has their shit together, don’t ever fool yourself into thinking that.

  2. Ted Kettler says:

    I have often said that growing up, I was taught to learn to laugh at yourself and I was and I do. To that, you learn to accept just how ridiculous we are as a species, how fallible you are as a person. Understanding and accepting that humor, that fault in our own preconceived image makes us accept ourselves for who we are. Human. Learn to laugh at yourself and you will never be offended by anything. I am the most ridiculous person I know, so therefore, there is nothing wrong with you. Learn this thought process and you will see the world through new eyes.

  3. Danny says:

    Well, that was very well said and I think you’d be surprised at how it resonates with many people.

  4. Wuzzie1 says:

    I would suggest to you that you go to a nude beach and bare your body and soul. You might just realize that we are all the same, just different sizes and shapes. We all have insecurities that we have to deal with, some of us also have physical issues as well. It might surprise you to see that we are all in the same boat. So…jump over board and get out there and swim. Love you girl….❤️

  5. Shybiker says:

    For all your self-perceived faults, you have several unusually-powerful strengths: intelligence, humor and candor. These draw people to you. I hope, perhaps through gradual positive reinforcement, you become able to let friends get closer.

  6. Mike says:

    The more I read your post, the more I believe that riding a motorcycle and having a blog, all speak to being solitary. Even riding in a group, nobody is interfering in your life as you listen to the familiar engine sounds. In fact, if you’re in full gear, nobody knows if you’re a guy or a gal! From your perspective, what’s not to like about that? Right?

    Owning a blog, you can be just as solitary and post whatever the hell you want. You click the right button and the screen goes blank. Interaction done. Yet you put yourself out there with all your human imperfections. There is courage in that. Keep it up. Try going to a store where nobody in hell knows you – and wear a short sleeve tee. Nobody cares and unless you have a parrot on your bare shoulder – nobody will even look. Try it. Good luck – you CAN do it.

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