I just couldn't stop...

I caught myself thinking this destructive thought today.  "Once I started, I just couldn't stop."  The stray rumination was in reference to a huge bag of roasted and salted cashews which consumed me the night before (OK it was me who consumed the cashews...).

Upon thinking the thought, it dawned on me how ridiculous the notion is.  I mean, is it really true that it would have been impossible for me to stop myself from eating all of those cashews (or whatever else I may claim to override my sense of self-restraint)?  Of course not.

Don't get me wrong.  I entirely accept the reality of addiction and the chemical and hormonal draw which can seriously challenge our free will.  I simply think that we have to admit to ourselves the difference between the difficulty of making the right choice and the idea that some of our actions are completely beyond our control, which is what is implied by the aforementioned maxim.

And since self-talk has been proven to be an important player in shaping our reality, through its effect on our paradigms, it seems like an even more important distinction to make.  So the next time you catch yourself thinking that you "couldn't stop yourself" or that you "couldn't help yourself," it may be helpful to reframe that as "this time I let it get away from me, but next time this is what I will do to keep my urges in check..."

I know, it sounds simple.  Of course it is not.  I think we all know that from experience.  But sometimes it helps to be reminded of a little piece of the puzzle in short circuiting those urges we don't want to indulge ourselves in...

Comments

[Kathryn]

Nice job, Adam! Having a plan in place for the next temptation is an excellent start! :)