The Meet Rack can be an empowering, supportive, transformative experience. It can also be fraught, anxiety-producing, loud and uncomfortable. For most people it's a lot of fun, but even then it can be overwhelming.
We've heard of people leaving the rack to go have fantastic scenes with people they just met, and we've heard of people who went back to their hotel room and curled into a ball. And not necessarily a sad ball, just an overwhelmed ball.
Whatever the Rack is to you personally, it's wise to consider aftercare in advance.
Remember: Aftercare starts before the event begins. As Scuba divers say: "Plan the dive. Dive the plan".
Plan your Rack experience in advance.
- Hydrate while you're on the rack, bring a water bottle.
- Have a friend review your outfit with you to try to ensure your clothing choices (or lack thereof) match your intent.
- Consider you'll likely be standing for awhile and think about footwear.
- Consider bringing earplugs as some folks have found it very loud.
- Line up your support system. If you have friends/partners/etc. who you might want for support, ask them in advance to be there for you. You don't want to mess up plans they may have with an unexpected request.
- Plan in advance when and where you're going to go after the Rack, and who will be with you.
- Plan in advance what you need. Chocolate, blanket, snacks, drinks, Stuffed Octopus, soft pants, etc. Pack these so they are ready and available.
While you're on the Rack
- Remember that you don't have to stay there. You are welcome to go on and off the rack as you wish, move locations, be a groper yourself, etc.
- Hydrate
- Become "Rack-buddies" with the people next to you and support each other.
- Remember that you can also change your clothing and thus change your experience.
- Check in on your emotional status from time to time. At "halftime" we'll make an announcement, take that moment to do a self-check.
Afterwards
- You will need to clear the dungeon space when the rack closes. Activate the plans you've made.
- Stress can come from trying to change your aftercare plans on the fly, try to do the aftercare you planned.
- Drink water...um.. Hydrate.
- Don't forget you will need vanilla-safe clothing to make it back to a hotel room.
- Don't worry about the whole "cards in your cup" thing for now. Deal with them later.
- If you've had a hard time, remember to give yourself some grace. The Rack is an experience.
We want everyone to have a great time both at the Rack, and afterwards. Please take care of yourself and each other.