Is the 100 Thing Challenge Anxiety Producing?

Kind of a question-post here. I wonder if the 100 Thing Challenge is anxiety producing?

For a while I've been wanting to get a Wheaton College sticker for my car. (Got my M.A. there.) But I keep thinking, "That would be an extra thing." So I have the desire to display school pride mixed with the commitment to the 100 Thing Challenge. Not on a daily basis, but every so often this combination makes for anxiety.

I think there is a solution to this, but I wonder nonetheless...

Comments

[Macalba]

A sticker, when affixed, becomes an inseparable part of the vehicle and therefore is not a separate, countable, stand-alone "thing" :-)

[Nina Ruth]

hehehe,that's awesome! very true! I think you can put the sticker on, Dave! oh, by the way, reading "Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger" right now...wow! I'm presently FORCED to simplicity by my present economic/living situation, but this makes me appreciate it & the 100 thing challenge all the more!

[Somebody]

No, it is not.

"OC(D)" is.

My point being, it isn't the 100 TC causing the anxiety, if any. If living with a 100 things comes naturally to a person, it flows like water, but if one gets stuck (occasionally or perpetually) counting things (or defining "things", as it were), it can be a job "breaking out of the loop". I take it you've seen Rain Man? :-)

(I agree with Macalba, by the way.)

I'll just add that I count things, occasionally. My brain does, that is, without "me" telling it to. Steps in stairs, how many of this or that to add on my plate, etc. When I'm tired, it's more of a nuisance, when I'm fully awake, it doesn't even happen - without me deciding to. It's a basic functioning of the human brain, in some more prominent than others, thus I would be very hesitant to call it a "disorder", regardless of the magnitude.

Acknowledging this helps, and telling one's brain to do something else instead relieves the anxiety. One can learn to both control the brain's behaviour and to adapt.

(Tangentially to your question, though, I'd hazard a guess that precisely because of differences with regard to (at least) how we tend (or not) to count (or define) things, taking on "the 100 TC" probably feels more challenging or more mental work for some than others. I'd love to hear others' thoughts on this.)

[guynameddave]

Somebody, yes, I do think that the 100TC is more challenging for some. In a way, this is a point I try to make. It's especially challenging because of the consumer habits we make. Some people are obsessive about consumption. Others have already taken steps to limit consumption, and so will find it easier to really cut back.

I guess what I'm saying is that the 100TC change help change how hard fighting consumerism is. After a month of the 100TC it gets easier, and easier, and easier. But I'm not sure anxiety/challenge ever goes away.

[Nancy]

My own 100 Thing Challenge is about awareness. It's not an absolute, but a never-ending process to change the way I live. If it makes me anxious, then I'm just not ready to let go, & that's fine.

I'd say if you want the bumper sticker, then get the bumper sticker. You can't be "perfect" all the time.

[C]

I say get the bumper sticker. I'd just include it is part of your car.

I'm down to 206 items and getting craftier by the minute LOL