Cold Showers
I wake up. Need to get out of bed quickly. Otherwise, thoughts start pouring in. And then I might stay in bed for a few more hours. Again.
Cold showers help. I find them easiest to do if I start with a comfortable, tepid temperature, and then crank it to freezing cold for the last 2-3 minutes. Apparently they call this the “James Bond Shower” or “Scottish Shower”. I never imagined myself the secret agent type. But I do love a good whisky.
Ah, Talisker. That takes me back to the Highlands, and the Isle of Skye. One of those places where nature really humbles you. One of those places where rain sometimes pours horizontally, and no umbrella, poncho or any other rain protection device helps. But whisky does. Especially after a long, exhausting uphill hike. After one of those, we finally understood the Scottish obsession with whisky. Me and my best friend.
He's getting married this week. They want this to be low-key. 10 people at the ceremony. They are expecting a child. I miss our camping trips. My friend will be busy with the newborn. Maybe in a few years we'll get to do it again, once the kid grows up. But, this week, I will have the honour of being the best man. First time in my life. Being asked brought me genuine joy, a feeling I haven't felt in a while now. The last few years were more sad than joyful. My ex will be their maid of honour. They met through us. We had some really nice times double dating. Those times are behind us.
She didn't want kids. Over time, I realized I want them more and more. Being single sucks. Especially after being in a relationship for 8 years. Or was it 9? You build habits together. A lot of them. Like hugging someone as soon as you wake up. That's why I bought a bunch of pillows lately. Hugging them helps. That, and cold showers.