When bad habits OWN YOU

There are times in every girls life that she needs to take stock of who or what is running her life. Where has the power gone. Who or what has it. And why the hell did you let it slip through your fingers. And it doesn’t mean that there is anything wrong with your life. There may not be anything that isn’t even particularly not working about it. But you may be reaching for that thing that you want and falling short. 
And then you know it is time.
And for me that time came a week or two ago. I realised that try as I may I could not force myself. Couldn’t bribe, motivate or trick myself into getting out of bed earlier to go for a walk. Or resist the food van for that matter. And I thought hold on, something is running me here. Something else is in charge. Not me. Because I would never do this. I am committed to health, well being and babies. And whatever this was, well, it was being a jerk.
And so I took a look at my habits. The baaaaaad ones. And at the forefront is this one. {I’ve got others, I’ll save them for next week!}
My evenings go a little like this; I arrive home. I have usually bought a six pack or bottle of wine. I pour a drink to wind down. I then skip the afternoon walk to have a second or sometimes a thirs. I would than eat too much at dinner {because lets face it, I am a bit pissy by now} followed by staying up until all hours of the night. 
And in the background. The motivator behind such detrimental behaviour? And all this was run by I’m tired, it’s too hard, I deserve it. Recognise anything from here
And so to break the cycle, as you may have heard, I decided to participate in OctSOBER. And I haven’t had a drink since Saturday night. And I didn’t realise how much I would grab a drink or two to steady the nerves after work. Sad, but true. Or how shouting at the ref on footy final day was no where near as much fun without a bundy or two. Or that it had all gotten a bit out of hand lately, if I am being honest, all in the name of  I’m tired, it’s too hard, I deserve it. And I didn’t know because you just don’t know what you don’t know. 
So now when my old friends I’m tired, it’s too hard, I deserve it show up. I politely ask them to leave or sit quietly in the corner. And I do the things I know to do. Because there is something powerful about knowing something you didn’t know that you didn’t know. And knowing means that it no longer has the hold it had before. Would you agree? 

10 responses to “When bad habits OWN YOU”

  1. Fantastic post!In our house we call these 'baddies' by the name 'Gobblers of Good Thoughts' and they can be a hard bunch to shift.Good on you for a] recognising that they were running the show and b] claiming your 'self' back, no easy task.There will be many amongst us who will be able to relate to the glass of 'something-something' to wind down habit. In my bid to shift the kgs In the evenings [about 5ish when I'm getting the dinner ready] I've taken to having a long, long glass of either mineral or soda water with a splash of lime. The bubbles seem to satisfy and curbs the hunger pangs too.Looking forward to hearing how the month pans out,x FelicityPS Hop on over to my blog [www.giftsofserendipity.com] for a chance to enter my giveaway

  2. Good girl! recognising those triggers is a big part of the battle. The next bit is to replace them with something that's better for you. This is where I fall down. :(

  3. Your dinner habit and evening habits sound a LOT like mine, although mine would also include downing 32 ounces of soda.I am a bit confused by the last sentence, but I think it was meant to be confusing.

  4. You rock. I have said it before, and I shall say it again – I am very proud of you. That you are digging around in your head like this. xx

  5. I do agree! And I'm thrilled for you!

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  7. Huge effort! They reckon the first week is the hardest – what about the first day! Get past that and you're doing so much better than the day before you started. Seriously good on you.I'm going to have to show my husband this post, because it is a mirror of him… Thanks Melissa – btw, removed the last post 'cause I stuffed up the login bit! Learning …

  8. I don't drink that often (I can't afford too. lol) but if I was told to give it up I'd want it soooo much. Sadly, it seems as though I'm much better at maintaining bad habits than the good ones. Eating healthy is hard. Good luck with the challenge.

  9. totally hear you! I have posted about this before too, when someone says why dont they do something their weight? My answer in my head was always 'oh it is easier to just not to' 'it is easier to sit on the couch and drink wine and bundy'…. the hard part is stopping it!

  10. It is much easier to let the hedonist within (is that even a word?) run the show when you have had a bundy or two or … seven. Good on you for making this commitment and trying something new. I really hope it is the beginning of something beautiful :)

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