Why 'non-essential' activities are so essential to us.

Do we really need to use the phrase 'non essential'?

Firstly, I’ve always had a problem with this phrase. Surely there were better words to use than ‘non-essential’ when trying to curb movement and integration of people through this really tough time?

I fully understand the need to segregate different industries to help in stemming the flow of the virus, but words are powerful and will last long after the event.

In my eyes, ‘non essential’ means that it doesn’t really matter. Look it up and you will find these words as replacements.

unimportant.
dispensable.
expendable.
needless.

You get the point. I really do hope the hundreds of thousands of people out of work don’t feel like this. I’m also pretty sure the millions of people craving to do the things we can’t do right now don’t see these sectors as ‘unimportant’ or ‘needless’.

I work in clothing retail, and have done so for most of my career, so of course I am looking at it from a certain perspective. This pandemic has thrown up difficulties for every single person out there in many different ways.

Let’s hope when we are out of this we can appreciate and celebrate ‘non essential’ for being incredibly essential!

'Non essential' is SO ESSENTIAL!

If you were to conduct a poll right now and ask every person what would they would love to do, I’m pretty confident the high majority of people would select something from the ‘non essential’ list. Ask this question pre or post pandemic and I’m also fairly certain a high percentage of people pick things like:

go on holiday.
get wined and dined.
have a shopping spree.
go to watch some live entertainment.
play/watch some sport.
get pampered.
go away for a few nights.
hit the pubs/clubs.

If I have left anything out, share your favourite things to do in the comments section below! Why are all of these great things so essential to us? Read on to see just 4 of many reasons why.

1. As humans we crave social interaction.

”Forming and maintaining social linkages is therefore a characteristic feature of humankind. Human beings need the acceptance, presence and comfort of others to feel fully alive and fulfilled”.

This is one such explanation from Act For Libraries.Org. It’s in our nature, part of our DNA and it is this social interaction that allows us to fully survive and thrive as individuals.

These types of interactions are the very core of our ‘non essential’ activities. Pretty essential in my eyes!

2.It's the fun stuff.

We all remember fun don’t we?! It’s what makes the hard times that bit easier and the good times memorable. When people are relaying stories, it’s normally the fun stuff that comes to mind first.

Many of the most memorable experiences my wife and I have are not the perfect occasions or holidays, but the stupid fun things that happened along the way.

Some essential things are fun, or can be fun. Pretty much ALL ‘non essential’ things are designed to be fun. Fun is not just important to have a good laugh, but also:

makes us smarter.
improves relationships.
reduces stress.
can make you energetic and youthful.

Bring back the fun stuff quick!

3. Fills our minds with positive memories.

Our minds store memories which in turn can shape our emotions. Many ‘non essential’ activities are where we create positive memories.

that unforgettable holiday.
that amazing concert.
the delicious meal we had in that amazing restaurant.
the special city break shopping and getting pampered.

These things keep us going when times are a little tough. We can look back in fondness and we immediately feel a little bit better.

Who else loves ‘something to look forward to’?! Looking forward to something can actually be of more benefit than the event itself! The importance of holidays, music, high street shopping cannot be underestimated.

‘Non essential’ activities give us these amazing positive memories, which are so important to our lives.

4. Develops our younger generation.

‘Non essential’ activities develop the younger generation, which will shape them for the future. Consider the following:

the importance of those part time jobs.
socialising through college.
making memories through fun experiences.
developing relationships outside your close circle.
learning through difficult experiences.

All of the above and many more happen through activities we can’t take part in right now. I remember my first part time job very well, not to mention the many great (and not so great) experiences I had growing up thanks to the very essential ‘non essential’ market.

To conclude.

Everyone has had to sacrifice something throughout this terrible pandemic. Difficult choices were and continue to be made.

Humans are resilient though and when we get to the other side, there will be one hell of a party! Let’s hope we all remember how important the ‘non essential’ things in life are and that we don’t take them for granted when they finally return.

We can survive without ‘non essential’…but we cannot LIVE without it.

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Why ‘non-essential’ activities are so essential to us.