Let’s continue on with my review of the new daily reminders I added to my list over the course of 2019.
-You get ten minutes to worry
I included this as a way to regulate my runaway mood. It hasn’t worked at all but I’m persevering with the reminder. I actually don’t think a bit of worrying here and there is a bad thing and I certainly have no interest in some hypothetical ‘worry-free’ dreamland. However, I do think cutting myself off after a reasonable serving is the healthiest approach. Maybe it’s ten minutes, maybe it’s one bike ride, maybe it’s one beer… I think I have the right formula, it’s now just a matter of getting the appropriate number.
-Hungry?
I have this one as a reminder thanks to Intuitive Eating. I try to eat when I’m hungry and I try not to eat when I’m not hungry. Get it?
This sounds stupidly simple (but isn’t). When I’ve played by this rule I’ve felt very good so I’m working hard to get it right.
-Done, then drink
A friend once pointed out that drinking while eating seemed to be an American thing (he may have used a different word, like ‘problem’, but no matter). We all know how committed I am to the mean, median, and mode of American behavior but I decided to humor him on this one. I’ve since tried to separate eating and drinking, ideally going thirty minutes each side of a meal before resuming drinking.
By the way, this isn’t just ‘drinking’ drinking, I’m talking about any liquid.
-Most urges go away in fifteen minutes
This applies to many, many things. Let your imagination run wild, reader.
My original thought goes back to when I was buying ice cream far too often (a late 2015 problem). One day, I decided to stop home first before getting my ice cream. I ignored my intense craving and walked past the magical freezers at my local CVS to reach my apartment. When I'd unlocked my door three minutes later, I no longer had any interest in Ben or Jerry.
-Choose courage over comfort
This looks really good on (digital) paper but I’ve struggled to fully integrate it into my lifestyle. The two problems are (1) my overall lifestyle is a comfort and (2) my day-to-day decisions don’t optimize for comfort. It might just be something to keep in mind the next time I make a lifestyle change.
