** This is an excerpt of an article entitled "January Notations" originally published on ARCMND.CO on February  2nd, 2024 and written by Etheldreda Esomba

Considering that Me, myself and I always have the best things to say, I am constantly in conversation.

It was about midday, more specifically around that point where it would make sense to have nap however I'm an "adult" now so apparently it's frowned upon. Not only was I mentally crashing but I was hungry...very hungry... so what did I do?

I had a cup of coffee.

Sure I could've had a proper meal and it probably would've done a better job at appeasing my hunger and my headache.

But I didn't.

I had a cup of coffee.

I don't know what it was about this specific 8oz dark roast blend that put me into this perspective but I realized that I was once again suppressing my natural desires but this time around via a mere cup of coffee.

Follow me.

A quick fix.

Highly time efficient.

Easy to digest.

Hands free.

And provides a questionable burst of energy.

But at what cost? Is the substitution worth it if its only going to leave me even hungrier and more drained once the high is over?

So of course upon that realization I had to go down the rabbit hole. Because that's just what I do best. And I began to think of all the other ways I have suppressed my hunger. Whether it be tethering cheap company to avoid solitude, drowning myself in a day job because its an "easier" mode of income, or shouting "c'est la vie!" when faced with severe inconveniences.

Simply said, both literally and figurately speaking, hunger is a state of desperation. It is a state of lack and though it may be unfavorable, it is however natural and a way to take heed of inventory. As much as acceptance is the first step, the route taken to satisfy our cravings may be just as crucial.

To take the healthier route and prepare for the inevitable, or to sabotage self into operating in a state of survival?

Just a penny for your thoughts...or a rather...a sip.