🐯🔥 By day 10, it was obvious that I'd been on the move the whole time. The sun, the salty wind, and the exertion of hiking a total of 200 kilometers were clearly visible on my face. Tanned leather, but that sparkle in my eyes – a wild man!

🌳🌿 I immersed myself deeply in the nature of this island world, regardless of whether it rained or the night blinded me. I persevered exactly as long as necessary. After returning home, I hobbled for six weeks because of a stress fracture. But it was worth it!

❤️‍🩹🪺 But why did I actually return to this place, even though I was always here with my family, who had caused me so much pain in my life?

🧠🫧 One of the hardest challenges after psychological or emotional abuse is learning how to live with the memories I shared – especially the beautiful, powerful moments that once felt so meaningful. These memories are often tied to a relationship that now casts a shadow over them. What once felt precious can now seem strange, heavy, or distant – as if it no longer truly belongs to me.

🤲✨️ A key step in healing is to look at these memories in a new light – not by hiding them away, but by taking them back. When I put my own presence at the center, I free the experience from the old bond. I take it back into myself – as part of my wholeness.

🎒🥾🗺 Sometimes it helps to return to familiar places. This time not in the company of the past, but alone, and on purpose – for me. To feel again, to see again – and to meet myself again. Because the connection that matters most now is the one I have with me.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

Anger performs better – why platforms like Threads reward anger

😵‍💫 On text-based platforms like Threads, it's particularly clear: Those who are loud are heard. Those who evoke emotion are rewarded. And those who express anger generate reach.

🤯 This is less due to ill will – but rather to the algorithms. They optimize for engagement, not quality. The more people comment, discuss, or get upset, the more visible the post becomes. Anger clicks. Polarization works. And the platform grows with it.

😵 The result: The ripcord is getting shorter and shorter. Differentiation is losing relevance. What counts is the impact of the emotion – not the substance of the statement.

🤐 This isn't just a problem for the culture of discussion. It's also changing how we think and speak – public discourse is becoming a stimulus-response machine. Those who remain silent disappear. Those who speak loudly win.

❓️ The question is: Do we really want this?

🧐 I'm 38 years old. I'm an adult. I often see posts where I'd like to contribute something because I find some of the topics very relevant. But then I see people insulting each other like they're in kindergarten. I don't want to be insulted and abused just because my statement isn't good enough or doesn't fit into someone's narrative. I don't want to look at my phone and be confronted with aggression there. I also don't want to constantly wait for something like that to happen. Everyone loses their temper at some point, but it shouldn't be so normalized.

🐒 In my opinion, anyone who constantly becomes abusive because someone expresses an unpleasant opinion has a major problem with their own emotional regulation. For me, since I have ADHD, the topic of emotional regulation is very important. I've invested many years in therapy and don't want to be constantly bombarded with such immature behavior.

🕊 Pull yourselves together! ✌️

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

🦥🇩🇪🌞 Megatherium germanicum heliophilum - the sun-loving giant sloth from Germany.

☘️ In recent posts, I've shown you living fossils - the ginkgo and the magnolias. The term "living fossil" is actually avoided in science because it's very superficial. It essentially refers to morphological characteristics.

🧬 If we look deeper, all living things are simultaneously living fossils and then again not, because our characteristics go beyond our appearance.

🧠 Take my ADHD, a neurological abnormality, for example, and follow current knowledge, then ADHD is partly a living fossil: the genetic component is a relic from hunter-gatherer cultures, or even dates back much further. ADHD is therefore referred to as an evolutionary maladaptation because it has advantages in nomadic cultures but disadvantages in a sedentary lifestyle.

🏚⛺️ However, some futurologists assume that humans will return to a nomadic lifestyle once the resources to maintain our civilization are no longer available.

🪸 We carry characteristics that developed billions of years ago. But we have also evolved, and so we are all interwoven between past, present, and future.

🪱 Each of us, whether earthworm or rocket scientist, is equally wonderful and deserving of a future.

🌞 On the topic of future prospects: This March was the warmest in Europe since records began.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

💝✨️ Love with Clarity and Balance – A Valentine’s Greeting with the Flax Flower (Linum usitatissimum)

Love is more than just a feeling – it is a harmony of emotion and reason. Just like the blooming flax flower is not only beautiful but also provides valuable Omega-3 fatty acids through its seeds, a mindful diet can support our emotional stability and cognitive abilities.

🧠🫀 Why Omega-3 for Mind and Heart?

🧮🧩 Enhanced Cognitive Function: Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for the cell membranes of our neurons. They improve neural communication and can strengthen memory, concentration, and logical thinking.

💔❤️‍🩹 Emotional Balance: Studies show that Omega-3 (especially EPA and DHA) can help reduce stress and anxiety. They contribute to calming impulsive reactions and improving emotional regulation.

🌈☀️ Reduced Susceptibility to Cognitive Biases: A well-nourished brain is better at recognizing and avoiding thinking errors like black-and-white thinking or the base rate fallacy.

👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨 Greater Resilience in Relationships: Those who are emotionally balanced can approach conflicts more calmly, resolve misunderstandings more effectively, and respond with greater reflection.

👨‍👩‍👦 Whether in relationships or daily life, the right balance between heart and mind helps us navigate highs and lows more consciously. A well-nourished brain is a clear-thinking brain.

With that in mind, I wish you a Valentine’s Day filled with love, clarity, and inner balance! 💙🌿

⚠️ Additional information:

🐟 Only about 5-10 percent of the alpha-linolenic acid in linseed oil is converted into EPA and DHA. Sea fish and algae offer better and more direct availability of these fatty acids.

‼️ Linseed contains hydrogen cyanide, which is why only about 15 grams of linseed per meal is recommended.

‼️ Particular caution is required for children and pregnant women - please inform yourself about possible dangers beforehand.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

🌎 The Endless Blue 🌍

I sometimes feel like there’s something missing in my life that would give me a deeper sense of definition, but it’s not about not knowing who I am. I have a strong sense of my identity, my core values and beliefs, but there’s still a part of me that feels incomplete, like I haven’t fully figured out my place in the world. My confusion is more about my existence, my purpose, and how I fit into the bigger picture, not about who I am as a person.

When I express this, I want to feel understood. I want others to engage with my feelings without jumping to conclusions or offering unsolicited advice. It’s frustrating when people try to simplify my emotions or impose their own ideals on me, especially when I’m not seeking to be fixed but simply to be heard. I desire genuine connection where my feelings are respected, where someone is willing to sit with my uncertainty and explore it with me, rather than rushing to tell me how I should feel or what I should do.

I often feel like people tend to moralize feelings or offer solutions before truly understanding what’s going on. I don’t want my emotions to be dismissed or minimized. I just want someone to truly listen and try to understand me without trying to change how I feel.

In general, it feels like there’s a lack of true engagement with people’s emotions these days, and I wish I could find someone who is willing to connect on a deeper level, without simplifying or judging what I’m going through.

I recognize that the search for meaning and purpose is a process, one that is ongoing and perhaps even endless, and I am open to the uncertainties that come with it. I am someone who doesn’t shy away from life's bigger questions but is willing to sit with them, allowing for ambiguity and imperfection in the process.

I certainly won't settle for a substitution if I know exactly what I want, at least in this respect.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

🐹🥕 I have changed my lifestyle since mid-December. I have almost completely given up sugar. This means that I haven’t had any cola, lemonade, or sweets for about eight weeks - except for two homemade cheesecakes and chocolate milk.

🚭🐛 Additionally, I quit smoking completely from one day to the next and made my diet more diverse. I follow a daily fitness program and have gained over 20 kg (44 lbs) in the last 7–8 weeks without putting on much fat. Everything feels firm and toned. Eight weeks ago, I was underweight at 64 kg (141 lbs), and now, at 85 kg (187 lbs), I’m back in my comfort zone.

🧠👨‍💻 The past year has taken a toll on my nerves, especially because I was working through trauma and grief while also dealing with unnecessary and unfair behavior in my personal life. I buried myself in work, ate too little, thought too much, and spent too little time outdoors.

🌈🌎 I also put a lot into this project over the past 6 years. After all, I invested not only several thousand euros but also countless hours of work into the megagroundsloth project. Then Instagram’s algorithms changed, and public sentiment shifted significantly against diversity topics. That frustrated me a lot.

🚫👎 When I brought up the subject of ADHD, a few people showed interest and I responded in detail. Strangely enough, it seems normal to then simply stop the conversation or complain because I didn't respond quickly enough - I didn't expect a thank you.

💔😳 When I announced a long break from Instagram at the end of December, only two people cared. That was really hurtful. How would you feel if you had been involved with people for years, and no one reacted when you said goodbye?

😵‍💫⁉️ When I expressed my frustration in my stories, intensified somewhat by quitting smoking, I quickly realized that this wasn’t the right way to handle it. I apologized right away.

🦥✨️ If you noticed: I drastically shortened my announced break. I’m back and mostly posting selfies. Yes, I’m here, and I’m claiming my space. I write texts that are meant to make people think, and even if only two out of a thousand people read them, I’ll keep going.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

⚖️ I am against any form of injustice - whether it concerns physical characteristics, psychological traits, gender, origin, religion, or interests. This is not just about social peace but also about fairness and the foundations of constructive coexistence. Aggressive rhetoric cannot be helpful, as it builds walls. Journalists must work responsibly to avoid reinforcing harmful narratives.

🎯 In addition to the rise of right-wing extremist forces, I am also frustrated by the dichotomous view of gender. It is not helpful to portray men as the root of all evil. If only about 1-2 % of men become violent, one cannot act as if men, in general, are incapable of resolving conflicts in a normal way. This aggressive rhetoric against men, in particular, demonstrates that the problem cannot lie solely with men. 20–30% of men have been violent at least once in their lives (e.g., in a fight, domestic violence, or in other situations). Most of these occurred at a young age and drunk.

📰 We are not incapable of talking about or regulating our emotions, but the way we are portrayed in the media might make us start believing that we are (gaslighting). Just because measurable differences exist in studies, they should not be taken out of context to demonize men!

🔎 Prejudices regarding empathy, in particular, are often distorted, even though the studies themselves emphasize their limited significance. It is about respect and decency. About objectivity in pursuit of a common goal!

🎣 Polarization generates attention, engagement, and ultimately profit - whether in the media, politics, or social networks. Clear enemy images make complex problems seem easier to understand and emotionalize the debate, which in turn leads to more clicks, higher ratings, or more votes.

🐾 The fatal thing is that such narratives often take on a life of their own. Once a group has been established as "guilty", every single misconduct from within that group is perceived disproportionately and reinforces the stereotype. At the same time, a dynamic emerges in which factual discussions become increasingly difficult because any contradiction is seen as "trivialization" or "taking sides" with the other group.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

🤺 Male Violence? A Distorted Perspective!

Discussions about violent crime often highlight that about 93% of such offenses are committed by men, implying that "masculinity" is the core issue.

However, this ignores an important fact: about 0.3 to 1.4% of men actually commit violent crimes (🇩🇪). The vast majority of men are not violent offenders, making it misleading to link violence to masculinity itself.

🎯 Social Dynamics Matter More Than Gender

The real question is why a small percentage of men turn to violence. While testosterone may influence aggression, socialization plays a much greater role. Boys are often taught to be tough and independent, while emotional expression is discouraged. Violence is sometimes normalized through rough play, peer conflicts, or societal expectations.

However, social influences extend beyond men. Parents, caregivers, and broader societal structures shape early behaviors. Dysfunctional family dynamics, neglect, or emotional manipulation can contribute to violent tendencies, regardless of gender. Violence is less about being male and more about the environments that shape behavior.

⚖️ A Balanced Approach to Reducing Violence

To tackle violence effectively, we must move beyond gendered blame and address the root causes:

👪 Early emotional education to help boys and girls process anger constructively.

💑 Promoting healthy conflict resolution instead of normalizing aggression.

⚡️ Recognizing harmful behaviors across genders, not just “toxic masculinity”.

🌈 Challenging restrictive gender roles that reinforce destructive behaviors.

🔎 A meaningful discussion about violence must look at the bigger picture - social structures, upbringing, and cultural norms - not just statistics that fuel one-sided narratives.

-

😶 I have been violent myself. As a teenager I fought with boys my own age. I can remember five fights. Three of them were in a children's home. I also once hit my father in the face. As a child I was often hit by my mother, but never by my father. I have never hit a woman. My mother once asked my father to hit my older brother. He didn't.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

I pull on doors that say push. But actually I like efficiency. My bed is efficient. And I want to present things accurately. That's why I look at the world critically and question a lot. Journalists, well, are not necessarily the best measure to properly assess the methodology of studies. Simplifications are much more catchy!

It is often assumed that women are more empathetic than men because of their social connections and supposedly stronger emotional perception. However, this assumption may be inaccurate because it does not fully capture the complexity of empathy and human perception. Rather, it can be argued that women develop a greater basic knowledge of other people's emotional states because of their kind of social connections. This basic knowledge often leads to a greater agreement with others' feelings because they often apply their own emotional projections to what they observe. However, this agreement is not always a sign of accurate empathy, but rather a result of the personal ideas and assumptions that are projected onto others' perceptions.

Men, on the other hand, may try to understand others' emotions and thoughts from a more unbiased perspective without automatically imposing their own assumptions. This may lead them to look more closely when recognizing feelings or needs, even though they may make more erroneous judgments in doing so.

Empathy is not just an intuition, but an active, individual process based on discussion and reflection. It requires the ability to set aside one's own prejudices and understand others.

Experiences in which one is outside the social norm and is therefore often confronted with misjudgments create a deeper sensitivity to the complexity of perception and empathy. They recognize how easy it is to draw wrong conclusions based on projections or preconceptions and experience first-hand how important it is to consciously detach oneself from one's own ideas in order to really understand. This outsider perspective can therefore provide a valuable basis for deeper and more precise empathy that is based less on assumptions and more on genuine discussion.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

🧠 People who are so focused on rationality that they fail to acknowledge their own emotions can miss important opportunities for self-reflection.

❤️‍🩹 When individuals mistake their feelings for objective logic, they risk avoiding accountability for their role in a situation.

👻 The real problem might be the way people, in general, avoid difficult conversations, whether through ghosting, blaming, or running away from emotional responsibility.

🌱🌱 Real growth happens when people face discomfort, acknowledge their emotions, and take responsibility for their part in conflicts.

🤷‍♂️ I wonder why people keep making seemingly critical statements, but as soon as an argument comes up that contradicts them or relativizes the statements, they can't discuss them. Instead, other measures are taken: silence, ignoring, aggression, escape.

👫 This applies to all genders, including those who regularly claim that they are able to deal with emotions so well.

🎯 I present my personal views publicly. There is the option to comment and people can write me messages. Sometimes my posts are seen by several thousand people. If I were afraid of that, I wouldn't do it. And I know that some of my views are controversial.

🤗 I would therefore like to point out again that I even offer an anonymous contact form on my website (megagroundsloth.de -> contact -> anonymous contact).

😶‍🌫️ This is specifically designed so that people who don't dare to criticize me directly can do so in this way.

🥱 However, most people don't do anything at all.

⚡️ I find that sad because I like being criticized.
⚡️ I love creative friction.

🌈 I know that no one is free from errors in thinking and that no one can completely keep their feelings out of their perception.

🙃 And sometimes - if not often - I want to deliberately provoke people so that they think. Being right all the time is less important than the exchange of ideas.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.