7 every day things I couldn't live without...

So as I go along my journey in blogging/journalling, I sometimes set myself a wee challenge and this week my challenge is to blog each day on the following:

• 7 every day things I couldn't live without...
• 7 of my favourite songs...
• 7 adventures I want to have before I die...
• 7 pastimes I never tire of doing...
• 7 treats I could eat every day...
• 7 people I'd be lost without...
• 7 places I want to visit...

So today I'm starting with the first one.

This is an interesting one to start with. Every day, in every situation, there are so many things we rely on - but things we couldn't live without? so lets have a think...

1. My elastic hair band. My hair is shortish at the moment, but even now I will always have an elastic somewhere in my bag because I never know when I'm going to get totally fed up with my hair hanging around my face and just need it away! Unfortunately I use it way too much, so I'm weaning myself off it!

2. A notebook and pen. I love stationery - like seriously love it! I just love getting a new notebook and starting to fill its pages with notes, plans, dreams, or even boring stuff like to-do lists or menu plans. I just love the thought of a brand new book, with such potential. Yep - I'm seriously weird. 

3. My microwave. I use my microwave all the time - mostly because I cannot remember to take stuff out of the freezer in enough time that it can defrost by itself. No - I end up rushing around at tea time trying to prepare something like chili while my mince sits in the microwave's defrost programme!! I couldn't do without it at all!

4. My car. I wish this wasn't so. But I am most assuredly allergic to walking anywhere if I don't have to do it. So my car is so over-used its unbelievable! I am trying to get a little fitter this summer, so we'll see if I can maybe make the change to walking to work, or home again... but then that would be up that really big hill and that's not really going to work... well, we'll see!!

5. My phone. Another one that I hate to see on this list, but again its a necessity. I use my phone for everything. All my numbers are on it to the point that I can't remember any new mobile numbers at all - old ones I can rhyme off, but new ones get saved into the phone and I couldn't even tell you my hubby's new one. Oops! I also use the calendar, the maps, the Kindle app instead of carrying around books, music, games, the camera function, and of course social media. It is so useful and I love my phone. But I also hate it as I'm aware - very aware - how much time I am on it and how much of a distraction from my daily life it actually is. Sometimes I do wish we could go back to when phones where phones, and we weren't totally obsessed by everything else we can do with them. 

6. My antidepressants. I am on antidepressants and have been on them for the best part of 14 years now. Why they are on this list is easy, When I run out, foolishly decide I should stop them because I'm fine now, or forget to take them any day, the results are horrible. I am a different person. A horrible person. I can't take noise or stress of any kind. I crumble at the thought of doing anything or having anything to do. I don't leave my house - heck I don't leave my bed if I can get away with it. I just can't cope. So these are probably one of, if not THE most important thing I can't live without. I have come to peace with the fact that I will most likely be on some form of these for the rest of my life, but that's so much better than the alternative that I'm really ok with it. 

7. Time alone. I know this seems a bit strange, but in order to recharge and be able to function I need regular time alone. This can take the form of a spa day, or a solitary hotel break, but can also be an hour alone at home before everyone else gets in from school, or the time it takes to get my hair done. I've even used going to the dentist as alone time when the kids were younger - just being able to sit and not talk and not think for half an hour! I know its not exactly a 'thing' but its something that's ultra important for me. 

So that's my 7 things for today!

DISCLAIMER: There are lots of things I'd put on a list, like family, friends, faith, music, but they will be covered over the course of the week in several other '7' challenges, so that's why they didn't get included here!!