SiriusXM.
I felt I needed it to help me get through trips to and back from work. I always listened to comedy stations and nothing else, because the music resembled nothing I hadn’t heard before on repeat through retail stores and FM radio. When I couldn’t afford SiriusXM, I downloaded a podcast app that seemingly worked without needing a data plan or a subscription (I know the episodes are probably downloaded ahead of time on wi-fi). With this, I felt I don’t need Sirius anymore.
Monster Javas
I was an addict and still a recovering addict of this drink. It’s the only Monster-related beverage I always had, never caring for the other flavors. For a while, starting back about seven some odd years ago, I drank a can and I felt energized. Then as time went on, it turned into just a drink I’d have for the sake of comfortedness, because it was no longer doing anything for me anymore. Plus it was burning a hole in my budgeting because cans of these weren’t exactly cheap on their own.
After being off from a single can after three weeks, I actually felt a lot better. Probably not going to get back into them.
Constant companionship.
I have survived two long-term relationships now, the first left me traumatized and in dire need of treatment. The second one I chose to end while I still had my sanity intact.
It’s no doubt that I chose poor quality people, but even so, I have a new, lasting appreciation for solitude, having my own space that I don’t need to share, and the inner peace that allows me.
I was in a relationship from 18 to 34. Now, for the first time in my entire adult life, I’m single instead of jumping straight into the next one.
No doubt there are things I miss about being in a relationship - and I still probably lean toward that being the ideal setup - but relationships have downsides too, just like being single has upsides.
I’m not sure what the final tally of that equation looks like, but every now and then I catch myself wondering whether I even need to be in a relationship at all. I spent most of my childhood practicing playing alone, and I got pretty damn good at it.