googling shit like "why do i feel bad after hanging out with my friends" and all of the answers are either "you need better friends" (i don't; my friends are wonderful) or "your social battery is drained, you need to rest and regain your energy levels" (i don't; i've got tons of energy, it's just manifesting as over-the-top neurotic mania). why is this even happening. it's like some stupid toll i have to pay as a punishment for enjoying myself too much
I actually, genuinely think social event aftercare would fix me. I need someone to put me to bed and say "you were fun today and no one hated you"
#theres a thing called 'larp drop' thats essentially this#esp since when having a great time you might be more inclined to disregard your limits and ignore discomfort#(and forget to eat/drink if its larp whoops)#and then once you have a moment to yourself it all comes crashing in#source: once forgot to eat at larp and had a sobbing fit in my car that ended the instant i bit into a chicken nugget - @queerfarmgremlin
this is also true of festivals, conventions, pride parades, concerts, and any situation where you have a lot of fun with other people!
"Drop" is a kink term referring to the down coming off an endorphin rush. It's why aftercare is so important, not just because "uwu sweet nice kinky people" but because kinksters realized it was medically fucking relevant. And then yes, the term spread to other subcultures because, surprise surprise, the venn diagram of kinky people are people in queer (sexually or otherwise) spaces is a bumpy ass circle.
Like, this isn't just about big socials, this can be a super intense one-on-one date night, it can be seeing a movie entirely alone that has you reeling.
If you flood your system with The Feel Good Chemicals™ for a significant time period, even just half an hour, the come down from that can feel like shit, a lot like withdrawal, actually. So follow the advice of old kinksters that I swear are telling you this because we care, we are not trying to "trick" you into joining us, AFTERCARE.
Get some nutrition, preferably tasty stuff. Get some water and electrolytes. Ease out of you can ("afters" with friends is a great way to get those good and water butts as well as ease off the social side). Enjoy some good music, something that fits the Vibe you want. Seek comfort as suits you. Some people want a book and cozy blankets. Some people like cuddles. Some people take a hot bath. Indulge a bit.
Most importantly, be kind and gentle to yourself after a Rush, and do not believe the stupid lies your brain comes up with. No one hates you. You weren't cringe. You weren't being selfish. Not only was that one thing not as embarrassing as you think, no one else remembers it. You did have fun and it was worth it. Etc.
Don't make drastic choices and maybe give yourself a pussy event budget so you don't over commit to the "treat yourself" because those Feel Good Chemicals are real tasty and easy to start chasing if you don't learn to safely put them back on the shelf when you're done w. them.
