I actively participate in the Solo Podcast user’s forum. Aside from this blog, it is the only other place online where I regularly contribute content. It’s a “semi-private” group of people who listen to the podcast and discuss solo living. It is also how Peter, the podcast host, regularly communicates with listeners to solicit feedback, recommendations and support.
I enjoy this group because it is relatively small. I’d estimate there are several hundred members, but only a few dozen who interact on it regularly. Because of my forum posts, I was interviewed as a guest on the podcast, I’ve had questions answered by other podcast guests, I’ve interacted with Peter, and I’ve been able to occasionally share my experiences that might help other forum members.
Sometimes though, I feel like I do not fit in at all. It’s a predominantly female group. Several, who actively participate, irritate me. Their posts are very focused on proclaiming how they have been wronged by men and society. They seem to veer from angry to hurt to combative about nearly everything. With a few select members, I have learned to skip anything they post. They clearly have an agenda that doesn’t interest me in the least.
There’s another way I don’t fit in, even with other participants who I find to be articulate, interesting and though provoking – including Peter. They frequently talk about “fighting the way society discriminates against solos” and “rallying against the norm“.
I don’t share that approach.
Do I think society is unfair? Absolutely.
Is life unfair? Undoubtedly.
Will my fighting against this change it? Not a chance.
When possible, I ignore or opt out of things I have no power to change. When I can’t do that, I reluctantly accept them.
Still, I like being part of the forum. It’s a welcome distraction, that is politics free, full of well educated, intelligent, articulate individuals from all over the world who expose me to things I would never know otherwise.
And, it’s not my forum. My role is a member. When I get annoyed, I back away from it for a little while and that seems to be working.