I have a ridiculous water bottle. It’s pink and green and it is massive. Like, bigger-than-my-head-holds-a-full-gallon-of-water massive. I carry it around everywhere (and sometimes if it’s full, I do bicep curls with it).
There have been many times when I walked into a meeting or class where I got the side eye “can’t you have a normal water bottle” look. I have noted that look and considered finding a more socially acceptable bottle for my hydration needs. However, when I do, I don’t drink more water.
That is the curse of the socially acceptable. Many people would choose to simply drink less water and not be shunned by society (I know that is a dramatic statement, but still). Why, though? Because our brains are wired to ditch the massive water bottle.
Dr. Nathan Dewall, a psychologist at the University of Kentucky, published a paper on why humans have a desire to belong to a group. The Association of Psychological Science pares down the origins of this desire and Dewall’s findings. They say,
“Belonging to a group was probably helpful to our ancestors. We have weak claws, little fur, and long childhoods; living in a group helped early humans survive harsh environments. Because of that, being part of a group still helps people feel safe and protected, even when walls and clothing have made it easier for one man to be an island entire of himself.”
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Pragmatic Productivity to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.