Coffee Thoughts - the Challenge

Self-improvement is a currently trending topic, which is good, because a lot of us are depressed as f***. One of the key aspects that seems to be associated within the self-improvement movement is rooted within challenges. We can easily compare these “challenges” to goals, however, “goals” never sounds as intimidating or exciting as a “challenge”. Imagine if you were to be invited on a quest (yes - we are all fantasy characters now, just roll with it). Would you be more apt to join someone who asked, “hey, I have a couple of goals to complete so that we can overthrow the villain, would you like to join?” Or, would you be more likely to join someone who asked, “I am on a treacherous quest, you may join me, if you can handle the challenge.”

Though everyone has their own internal and external motivators, challenge incites excitement, a game, or a competition of some form. For myself, at least, I have found it to be the most useful term to aid in completing my own methods of recovery and self-advancement. It’s not a daily mindfulness journal - it’s a 30 Day Mindfulness CHALLENGE.

I like to believe that humans are naturally competitive and hearing that something is an onus, that another may not be able to handle, carries an odd form of exhilaration - and I am obviously not the only one to believe this. Marketing experts have used the concept of the challenge to spread awareness, either by getting involved in current challenges or starting their own (think the Ice-Bucket Challenge or bars creating Tide Pod shots in response to the Tide Pod Challenge). Additionally, by making ‘challenges’ within technology (such as through Fitbit) there is a constant encouragement to ‘rise to the top’. So what about the challenges where we are inclined to humiliate ourselves?

Within the archives of the internet, I am sure that there is footage of me attempting to stay stoic as I violently choke during my miserable attempt at ‘the cinnamon challenge’. Humans are social creatures, therefore, we are concerned about how we look within the social lens - which includes a sense of shame from not rising to the challenge. This also feeds into another concept of goal-setting/challenges where it has been considered that telling others (via social media or interpersonally) may lead to a higher motivation of finishing the task.

With this understanding, I have decided to create my own challenge - coffee thoughts. Coffee Thoughts will be a set of daily articles regarding various topics based on my semi-educated perspectives or experiences - created while I finish my coffee. But, as with any good quest, it will be way more fun with allies - therefore I ask: I am about to venture on a treacherous quest, full of humiliation and societal dangers, are you up to the challenge?

If you want to be a part of this challenge, choose something, anything, that you have wanted to try or improve at and set aside 15 minutes a day. Let me know in the comments what you are working on so that I can also help you to reach Camelot!

What else can you expect from me? Various is a loaded word, so to explain what themes you can expect within the future, my work will be born from my formal and personal experience. I have a Bachelors degree in Sociology with a minor in Business and a minor in Psychology; my personal experience lives within years of bar service, bookkeeping, and a surplus of mental health "journeys". Therefore, there is no hyperbole at play when I say I will discuss a plethora of topics. These articles are designed to be a palatable form of educational or "ruminating" worthy topics; at the end of the day, the main quest is to help others improve themselves.

Whether you are just here to read, or are participating in your own challenge - I thank you for embarking on this journey with me and I will talk to you tomorrow!