Variety is a word that has come into my life a lot recently and something that I have come to notice is an integral part of me feeling fulfilled. This can take form in a few ways, it can be in the food that I consume, in the people that I surround myself with, or in the activities that I participate in.
Think back to a time in your life where you felt accomplished or excited about something, did that happen from doing the same thing every day? Or did you have to move outside of your routine in order to feel this way?
Now, I'm not saying that you have to go skydiving or take spontaneous road trip, though that could be fun. I'm advising you to simply change up your routine from day to day, even if it's something as small as taking a different route home from school. Seeing variety in your life can change the way that your brain works and open your mind up to different ways of thinking.
Jennifer Price, an international interventionist says in her journal The Six Human Needs, "Variety exercises our emotional, psychological, mental, and physical range. Variety is one way to combat depression and anxiety. A good dose of variety is healthy and the excitement that ensues is necessary to feel alive" (2021). In the act of repeating an experience over and over, our bodies and our minds get bored of it, reducing stimulation that is integral for feeling good.
In terms of friends I have found this to be a shocking truth. Though I have friends that I love with my whole heart, it is important to remind myself to not limit my social interaction to them. Having time with old friends whom I haven't seen in a while, with new people who I'm just getting to know, and anyone in between has helped me at times to readjust my mindset to something outside of the collective worldview that my friend and I have formed. It's definitely easy to forget that theres a whole world outside of your own when you are mostly surrounded by the same people, that's why variety in social interactions is so so imperative. It can also make you appreciate those who you do get to see often!
This rule can also be shown in the food that we eat, there is endless scientific proof that variety within your diet is key to your health. This is not only because different foods have different nutrients and health benefits for each facet of your body health, but also simply so that you don't get bored with what you are eating. Along with both of these points, if you are eating food from different cultures you are allowing yourself to broaden the scope of your knowledge for those cultures and learn to appreciate the different components within them.
In pretty much any facet of life, you can figure out how to add variety. Mindfully practicing this way of living will undoubtedly open up your mind, benefitting your self confidence and general happiness.
Hey Josephine, This was one of my favorite articles I have read in this class. I was really interested in learning more. The images you added were spot on and relevant. I have core friend's but often I always catch myself exploring different groups of people to have a fresh feeling always. Yes I liked how you added that our diet is important to the way we view things. If you eat toxic foods you'll feel slow and sluggish, switch it to a healthy diet you'll be much more energy. I look foward to reading more of your blogs they are very interesting.
ReplyDeleteHi Josephine, I really enjoyed reading your post this week. I agree with your point with wanting to add variety into your life whether its trying new foods, trying a new workout, or making a new friend. I think its important to every once in a while exercises your brain, that way you can grow as a person but to also keep your mind busy. Overall, great job, thank you.
ReplyDeleteHey Josephine, I really understood what you meant by variety in food. I love food and cooking and all the ins and outs of it, but the one thing that it definitely provides is variety, and not just from dish to dish but due to the origins of the dish and their cultural representation. Food really allows for a great way break out of ones comfort zone while also getting to experience that "variety".
ReplyDeleteHi Josephine, This is the first time I have read your blog, and it is a great read. I never really had many friends growing up, so I mostly hung out within that circle of friends. I understand what you are saying that you need a variety of different experiences and people. Life would become tedious and boring if we did the same thing over and over again. I know when I eat the same food over and over I grow board and the food starts to taste bland. I guess that it is the same with people. I look forward to what you will write about in the future.
ReplyDeleteHi Josephine, I connected so much when you talked about the variety of food cultures. I love eating and exploring food whenever I go and it is interesting how we can connect with other people by tasting their culture. I also agreed with you about changing your routine little bit helps find interesting things on your way home.
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