u/InsideGloomy3403

Hello! I done my CBT and got myself my first bike about a month ago, I’m not going out on it everywhere but try to have a little drive around getting used to the roads a few times a week. I’m in my 30’s and never drove a car so getting used to the roads is a challenge. I know the basic rules and such and I always keep my satnav on so I can see what the road speed limits are but where I am very new to being on the road and trying to be aware of all going on around me (where a car might pull out, people crossing, etc) some of the road speeds seem insanely fast for those kind of areas and I get nervous because it’s less time I have to react if something does go wrong, how do you get used to it? Especially on roads you aren’t familiar with? Am I safer going a few mph (5-10) less than the speed limit despite having cars behind me?
I tend to go out in quieter times on the road so that I’m not holding up traffic but I don’t want to be like this, did anyone else have this when they were starting out? How did you get used to it?

Has anyone used tanning drops? If so how would recommend them? Which brand did you use? Was it a natural looking tan? All the things all the details please if you don’t mind 🙏🏼
I have the most dull skin and it only looks - well not good but better with a tan but also just went through a skin cancer scare, I know too much sun exposure is bad for skin and ages it so I’m trying to explore other routes, I’m super down at the moment and my appearance is a big contributor to that. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated, thank you so much in advance 🙏🏼 💙

I just need to let it out somewhere sorry.
I’m so down and sad at the moment, I can’t sleep great, I don’t have much of an appetite, I have zero motivation. I used to be so fit and active and now I just can’t bring myself to go to the gym or anything of the sort.
I was very unhappy in a relationship, I am even unhappier not in that relationship but I think he has moved on, I don’t even know if he has, just a feeling that I can’t shake. I love him, I always have, he’s always been my person but I don’t think I was ever his and that’s what lead to the breakup. Being with somebody who does not love you is so hard and draining. But my goodness…somehow this is so much harder. It’s affected every aspect of my life, this sadness, and unmotivated feeling. I have so much to do and all I end up doing is doom scrolling on Facebook and instagram. It’s affecting me as a parent, it’s affecting my work, it’s affecting my health and appearance. Everything feels so heavy, I haven’t felt this way since i went on antidepressants when I was 20, I was on them for 10 years but I feel like I need something but I don’t want to go back on them again. I feel like I need a hug, a slap in the face, a nap, a run I don’t know, I don’t know how to deal with these emotions because I’m torn and conflicted and I cannot think straight to save my life right now I just want this pain to end. How can one person send me into such a mental decline that’s affecting everything else, one man has this power over me that he does not even realise. It makes me feel so weak minded and pathetic.

Just a fun question 😅Is there any little things you do before a ride or have something as “good luck” you won’t ride without?
I have got it in my head that I HAVE to wear my good luck ring, matching underwear, and I have to give the bike an affectionate pat before we set off 😅 anyone else have any little things like this 😂😂