It’s a red Reverb water bottle. I got it from the Harry Styles concert in Atlanta and I haven’t gone anywhere without it since. There’s something about your favorite water bottle that provides a sense of reliability that no other human or object could ever provide. Most of us have that one water bottle that we use all the time and, to be transparent, need to force ourselves to remember to wash. Whenever I go out the door, so does my emotional support bottle. If you don’t have one already, I couldn’t recommend having one more. If you’re currently picturing your own emotional support water bottle in your head right now, I’m here to explain why we’re so attached to these little containers.
object attachment
From a psychological lens, we as humans tend to attach to certain objects because of the connections that we associate them with. Much like children have their favorite blankie, adults can find comfort in inanimate objects as well. Don’t be ashamed. It doesn’t make you childish; it makes you human. A simple, everyday water bottle can come to spark an unexpected joy and represent ideas of health and reliability. Because it’s something that we always carry with us, it becomes a part of our lives and our routines. The mere presence of the bottle becomes included in our memories and a part of our personal journeys. They come with us everywhere, they can be customized with super cute stickers and they never fail to hydrate us throughout the day. What’s not to love?
something to rely on
If you’re going to rely on something, a water bottle is a pretty good option. I am a person that does not drink nearly enough water. I used to go days without even taking a sip. Water is so beneficial for both your mental and physical health, and if an emotional support water bottle encourages you to drink more water, I see nothing but benefits. Drinking water increases energy levels, prevents headaches and improves brain activity and physical performance. Since becoming so attached to my beloved bottle, I have started drinking a significantly larger amount of water. I didn’t expect to notice any major changes, but my skin looks better, and I truly feel like I have more energy.
sparking joy
The concept of an emotional support water bottle is something I never really thought about until I heard a few people use the term. However, I really resonated with it and realized how much I rely on my water bottle for comfort. When I took the time to think about the concept, I realized that it all comes down to giving objects meaning and surrounding ourselves with things that spark joy. When Marie Kondo blew up on YouTube, I remember her emphasizing the idea that you only need to keep objects if they spark joy. Each item in our life holds significance to us in some capacity, or else I’m sure we would have gotten rid of it by now. If you think about it, it’s kind of wholesome and special that we as humans give so much meaning to the things we surround ourselves with. I love looking at the things around me and being transported to different times in my life and being filled with different feelings. Whether it is a water bottle, a photo or a piece of jewelry, make it a point to surround yourself with things that spark joy. Everyone should be able to have their own version of an emotional support water bottle.
clean the lid
When I say I always take my water bottle everywhere with me, I am not exaggerating in the slightest. I’d hate to admit it, but this also means that it probably doesn’t get washed as much as it should. I know it sounds gross, but I have had a lot of people relate to me on that. Our lives get so busy, and we just forget to wash the lid. The task is just low on the list of priorities. It’s a small task that can easily be skipped. The way that we neglect our emotional support water bottles can reflect how we neglect our own need for rest and reflection. Washing a water bottle takes one minute out of the 24 hours in a day. Take that time to wash your water bottle lid. Take a few minutes to take care of yourself. Practice self-care. Do something that sparks joy. Make it a priority to cleanse yourself of the grime and dirt that the world can leave behind and allow yourself to remain the best version of yourself.