4 weeks ago, I started to really focus on me. Prioritizing my health. I’ll share more about that but today I had an example of how I’m not on a weight loss journey… but I’m optimizing my whole self and that includes addressing some of those subliminal habits we create.
For example… Most of the time, when I need to do an Amazon return, it’s at the UPS store. It’s near the grocery store, their hours work for me and I’ve never had an issue. I AVOID the local FedEx store because of a horrible interaction I had once. Yes. One bad interaction and I hold grudges. Unfortunately though, sometimes, I order something that HAS to be returned via FedEx. Right next door to the FedEx store is a cookie shop. You might already see where this is going.
See, before I started really focusing on being intentional and taking care of me, I would “reward” myself with a cookie from the shop to counteract the dislike of going there.
ONE cookie won’t hurt, right? And I wouldn’t think twice about it. I would completely ignore the fact that ONE cookie at this establishment is 4 servings… and in total that ONE cookie was upwards of 800 calories, 40% of those from fat and don’t get me started on the carbs. And the joy from that ONE cookie would last as long as it took to consume it, often blindly snacking as I drove home. And then it was replaced by guilt and disgust because I knew it wasn’t in line with what I really want.
So, for the last 2 weeks I’ve been driving with a return that needed to go back to FedEx. I just couldn’t find the time to go it seemed but what I realized was that I was avoiding the place that tempts me.
So, today, I dropped off my return.
I did not walk next door and inhale 800 calories without realizing it.
Was I still tempted? Of course. But this time, instead of doing what I always do, I asked myself to really consider the impact of a small decision on the bigger picture.
And then I drove home. And you know what? When I got here, I rewarded myself with another healthy choice – I emptied the dishwasher. I’m sure that sounds weird, but it was something I knew I needed to do that was nagging at me. Taking the 5 minutes to unload the dishwasher unloaded mounds of stress about things that need doing.
Of course now I’m wondering, what other subliminal habits do I have. I’m sure they will pop up soon if I keep looking for them.
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