Penny is an artist who uses her creative side and imagination to express herself. She’s now using this opportunity with ASDNext to not only do that through art, but also blogging. For much of her life, she felt like the “quirky sidekick” stereotype in a movie, always doing what others expected of her. When she was diagnosed with autism later in life, that all began to change. This news was life changing and she knew it was time to rewrite her story. She’s no longer on the sidelines of this so-called movie that is her life, she’s the director, leading-lady, or whatever other part she needs to play to figure out who she REALLY is! Every small step toward authenticity is now a victory for her in this new stage of life.
View all postsMoving on from My Emotional Support Water Bottle
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I am one of those people who always have a water bottle with me at all times. My current favorite has been with me since 2022. It is a 32-oz insulated water bottle with a bright pink ombre design. I have it covered in stickers (some of which are likely irreplaceable), and I’ve grown VERY attached to it. Despite its dings, dents, and peeling paint from frequent drops, it is my “Emotional Support Water Bottle.” Side note: I drop my things VERY frequently, mainly because I am trying to carry WAY too many things at once (future blog post potential?!) Given its age and recurring habit of constantly leaking (even with a new lid), I knew my hydration routine would eventually have to change.
Given the opportunity and budget to find a replacement, I could narrow down my must-haves to just 2 things. I can’t live without the ability to keep water cold for hours and hours, so my ideal water bottle must be insulated. My water must remain cold in various temperature-controlled environments, which is just what insulated water bottles do best! Second, I need a water bottle that holds an excessive amount of water (simply because I am too forgetful to refrigerate it). Ideally, it should have at least 32 ounces of water, allowing me to make it through an 8-hour workday without needing to refill or chill it.
This month, my boyfriend, Dave, was cleaning out the garage and found a sage-colored Stanley thermos. Yes, that’s right—THE Stanley, the once-coveted oversized insulated bottle complete with plastic straws and horrifyingly huge carrying handle. He never bothered to use it and asked me if I wanted to try it out (to keep for my own use, potentially). My interest was piqued. This new water bottle had both of my ride-or-die features: a metal material to keep the water cool and a capacity of 32 oz or more. I decided to give it a try.
On day one, I noticed that the Stanley felt heavier than I expected, especially after being entirely filled with icy cold spring water. I stood it up straight in my backpack, with the straw and bottle both vertical, before throwing my pack into the car and driving to work. Upon arrival, as I pulled my backpack out of my car, I noticed my new water bottle had already leaked a bit. My other water bottle would spill all the time, so I kept an open mind as I continued to use The Stanley. I made a brief mental note to get an adorable straw cap to keep water from escaping, should I use this long-term.
After downing my coffee at my desk, I decided it was time to start hydrating! I appreciated its smooth, matte exterior, but the weight and handle were straining my wrist. I missed the rubber handle of my original emotional support water bottle; it sat on top, and I could carry it around like it was a lantern in the times of “Oregon Trail.” As the day wore on, I didn’t mind holding the bottle in my lap, with both hands, and sipping through the straw, which likely looked ridiculous.
At the end of the day, I stood my water bottle upright in my backpack and placed it in the car. Somehow, it tipped over and spilled most of the water into the bag and onto the seats—oops! Day one was definitely a challenge, but I was determined to continue to make it work. On a positive note, its insulated nature INDEED kept my now 40 oz of water extremely cold all day long. The handle is something I can surely get used to, and I have also added a little green dinosaur-shaped straw cap to decrease the chances of it spilling slightly.
Today, I stare back longingly at “Ole Thirst-Quencer,” my previous water bottle, up on a high shelf in the kitchen cabinet. I know I have to pitch it, but I am not ready to part with it just yet. Hug your favorite water bottle extra tight today, but also remember that it’s okay to let it go if it’s looking worn out and in need of an upgrade. Besides, my new one feels like a fresh start, and I’m excited to see how it will serve me in the long run
Penny
