The Action Challenge: Rethink "Necessities"

We all have those things that we say we "can't live without." Some of those things are valid: you can't live without food, air, or water. Everything else, however, just makes life easier.

We could argue about other things that you "literally" can't live without, but what really needs to be talked about is the things we only think we need. The things that other people live without everyday.

Yesterday I had to rethink my necessities for The Action Challenge and it wasn't that hard to come up with what I needed to let go of.

​Here's what I wrote in my journal:

The first thing on the list of my needs is coffee. It's the first thing I think about in the morning and the best thing I can think of when it comes to going out on the town. When traveling, the first thing I ask about is the coffee situation, I hopelessly need coffee.

But that's only one of the things I gave up today.

Society likes to tell you what you need, especially women. Recently, I've noticed people telling each other that unless women have certain breasts. they have to wear a bra for the sake of the rest of the world. I won't mention whether or not I fall into that category, but I resent society telling anyone they need anything.

In addition to coffee, today I will also be giving up my bra.

Luxuries aren't always a reality in other's lives around the world, so I'm giving up two of mine. Here's to feeling cranky and liberated all in the same breath.

At the beginning of the day, I was feeling really good. I've given up coffee before, what's one day? I was also wearing a baggy flannel shirt, so how different could it possibly be?

Here's another journal entry from later in the day:

I'm just sleep. Sleep and a little self-conscious. My head doesn't ache yet, but I'm not at my best.

I did this to myself. Coffee was so good and so helpful, I couldn't turn away. I fell into addiction and it became my sweet bliss.

Aside from feeling sluggish and missing my vice, I love not wearing a bra. It's liberating and comfortable, but it's only mid-day.

That night, I went to sleep at 9 o'clock because my head hurt so bad I couldn't function. I'd love to tell you how not wearing a bra felt the rest of the day, but my head hurt too much to notice. I know I don't need coffee to survive, but for now I need it to get through the day.

There are so many things that we think we need: internet, cars, cell phones, etc. It's so easy to forget the people that don;t even know those things exist. It's so easy to forget that there was a time when none of that stuff was even a thought in people's heads.

We all have our vices, but are they worth having if they're taking over your soul?

​P.S. It's not too late to sign up for The Action Challenge.