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Intro: Not Essentials, Just Emotional Support Objects
I didn’t set out to become emotionally attached to small, slightly unnecessary objects this year. It just… happened. None of these things are life-changing in a dramatic way. They’re not productivity tools or wellness miracles. They’re just little items that quietly wormed their way into my daily life and refused to leave.
Think of this as a list of things that don’t look important until you realize you’d be annoyed if they disappeared.
Bee Balm: The Lip Care That Tricked Me
My sister bought me a set of Bee Balms, and I don’t think it was a read, but it kind of was. I do not take care of my lips. I live in Michigan. I should use lip balm. I simply… don’t.
I consider myself Medium Maintenance lady, and historically, chapstick usage did not make the cut.
What changed everything was the packaging. These Bee Balms come with a tiny honey wand applicator. A tiny. Honey. Wand. I don’t know what kind of psychological trick that is, but it worked. Suddenly, I’m moisturizing my lips like it’s part of a ritual.
You’d think this situation could get sticky very quickly, and yes, that thought crossed my mind. But it’s honestly fine. I just wipe the applicator before putting it away like a civilized person. The balm smells good, feels nice, and most importantly, gives me a reason to actually use it.
The Thai Compound Herb Inhaler That Lives in My Purse
My Australian uncle introduced me to a Thai Compound Herb Inhaler. He was here with his wife for my mom’s funeral, and as always, he showed up being quietly helpful in ways that don’t draw attention to themselves.
I was having a hard time with my appetite, which is pretty normal when you’re stressed and grieving and your nervous system is doing whatever it wants. My senses were completely off. He handed me this little inhaler and told me to try it.
It changed my life a little bit.
He carries one for intense smells on train rides, but for me, it helped wake my sense of smell back up. That, in turn, made eating feel possible again. It’s herbal, sharp, grounding, and oddly comforting. It now lives in my purse rent-free and comes out whenever the world feels like too much.
This is one of those objects that looks questionable until you try it. Then you get it.
The Hello Kitty AirTag Charm That Knows Where My Purse Is
My boyfriend got me the SABRÉMOJI™ Hello Kitty purse charm from Maison de Sabre for my birthday. It’s a purse charm, but it’s also an AirTag holder, which feels both adorable and responsible.
I do lose a lot of things. I don’t usually lose my purse, but if I ever did, I would very much like to know where it is. This charm makes that possible while also being extremely cute.
I love Hello Kitty, which is probably why he chose it, and I get compliments on it constantly. It’s tiny. It’s cheerful. It makes my bag feel a little more like mine. And it quietly reassures me that if my purse ever goes missing, we have options.
Conclusion: Small Things, Big Comfort
None of these objects are essential in the traditional sense. I could survive without them. But they’ve earned a place in my daily orbit by being comforting, useful, or just charming enough to make life feel a little softer.
This year was heavy. These were light. Sometimes that’s enough.
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