10 001 Ways to Feel Human

#9 983 Pop a cork!

My parents celebrated their 28th anniversary!

#9 984 Hug a parent

Or better yet, go on holiday with them and them alone! This last weekend I had the wonderful privilege of going on a weekend away with my mom, dad and no siblings. Only child, yo!

A couple of weeks ago I took a chance. Stepping outside my comfort zone and tagging along to an event where I knew only one person: A boy I'd met the night before. Little did I know that by telling the little voice of discomfort to "shut up" for a once and just "going with it" (very much against my character), I would be giving myself a shot at the biggest treasure trove of happiness I've ever known.

#9 986 Cry

A good cry is much like taking your soul to the laundromat.

#9 987 Bake a cake

#9 988 Chop your hair off

#9 989 Run in the rain

#9 991 Scream

Into a pillow, yes - but not this time. We're so used to muffling our pain, anger and frustration - sometimes with a pillow, but mostly with our own internal filters. There's quite some relief in letting out all that pent up pain and frustration. And hearing that scream echoing around you, really allows you to feel it... To feel human.

#9 992 Take a hike

In theory, I love hikes. The scenery, the picnics along the way, the fresh air - all designed to make you feel human, right? Except I've found that what really makes me feel human about hikes, is the pure exhaustion. I'm not that fit (translate: at all) and it's generally in those last stretches when everyone is chilling on the mountain peak, that my human-ness (i.e. swearing under my breath and kicking stones) kicks in.

#9 993 Get a tattoo

And then bail at the last minute (which is pretty much what I did).

What made me feel human about the entire process wasn't so much the idea of getting inked, but rather the decision of what this tattoo must say. One symbol - picture - word - whatever - that you'd want to take to my grave with you. It forced me to question what defines me, describes me and has meaning to me - so much so that I'd want to ink it into my skin forever. It's a tricky decision, but it's also humbling and eye-opening.

EDIT: I'm still set on getting that little tattoo - one day, when my need to eat doesn't outweigh the cost of a skin ink.

#9 994 Break a heart

This isn't one of those points you need to set out to do. But when it happens - and there will come a time when it does - I can say without reasonable doubt that NOTHING makes you feel more human - more vulnerable - than having to break someone's heart.

I found myself questioning my own humanity - what kind of human hurts another in such a brutal way? But when that fog of self-doubt and post-breakup regret clears, you come out feeling empowered by the fact that you took your future into your own hands and set the other person free.

#9 994 Finish a book

#9 995 Laugh at yourself

#9 996 Buy a stranger a chocolate

#9 996 Play a boardgame

#9 997 Wash your car

No, don't HAVE your car washed, get a bucket and wash your own damn car. Just once. It's hard work, but it's so damn rewarding, you'll be basking in the joy of being human for weeks after. Next time you have your car washed, you'll appreciate the spoil that much more and appreciate the human who actually took the time to scrub bird poop off your windshield.

#9 998 Eat a pizza

The whole damn thing, yes! And without caring about the consequences or allowing yourself to feel guilty. I'm not saying "do this once a week". But as someone who's been weigh-conscious ever since my close call with anorexia in high school, I must say: Few things make you feel as human as NOT having to count calories for just one blissful moment.

#9 999 Greet a stranger

In Caledon, everyone knows just about everyone. So everyone (usually) greets everyone. Even if it's someone you don't recognise, you still greet them - just in case it's Tannie Miem from the pharmacy who's changed her hair again.

When I came to Cape Town, it took a while to get used to the idea that: Greeting every person you pass on the street is not only impossible, but considered strange. After trying my hardest to find my "stone cold city face", I realised that it's more fun greeting strangers! Mostly I get odd looks, but now and again I'll get a happy smile that sure as heck makes me feel human again.

#10 000 Help a non-human

This sounds more dramatic than it's meant to be really. But one thing I learned growing up in Caledon with my crazy animal-loving parents, is that few things make you feel more human than reaching out to something that isn't.

#10 001 Dance!

There's a certain joy in dancing. For some, it's the style, the grace and the beat. For me, it's the realisation that I'm not "all that" or "the best of the best". After all, nothing makes you feel more human than falling flat on your face or twirling into a wall while the whole world is watching.

I've never felt this alive.