I am always trying various self-improvement kicks, making lists or resolutions of things I need to do to be a better person. Sometimes this means I become overwhelmed by guilt and the hopelessness of it all, since becoming the person I want to be is probably literally not possible. But most of the time it's a useful trait.
There are several things that I do that I am aware are not good for me, yet I have no real interest in giving them up. I feel bad about this, but not bad enough to do anything. I think this is the definition of "guilty pleasure".
This list includes:
1. Gummy candy. I eat some almost every day, even though eating so much sugar (or rather, nasty high fructose corn syrup) is not really a good idea for my teeth, body or weight loss plans. You know it's bad when the store owner makes fun of you for your candy habit. B suggests I start telling him it's for little R: maybe once she gets a few more teeth this will be believable?
2. Caffeine. I have serious heartburn problems and recurrent insomnia, but oh do I love my coffee. I even put "Give up caffeine" on my 101 in 1001 list, but honestly that was kind of a lie. I really don't want to give up caffeine. Right now I only have 1 or 2 cups/day (usually one), and even that fills me with regret. I would really prefer to channel Balzac, who drank pots a day, if I could physically stand it.
3. Surfing the Internet. The internet is immensely useful (communication, paying bills, etc.). But it is also my biggest time-waster. I have spent hours before following one link after another, on brain-rotting topics like celebrity gossip (Celebrities Without Makeup!) or weight loss surgery (I don't need this, I just like reading about it for some bizarre, probably psychologically disturbing reason). My 101 in 1001 list also has this on it to give up, another thing I don't really want to do.
Maybe someday my willpower will improve and these bad habits will become ancient history. For now, though, it seems as if they are here to stay.
I think we all need some guilty pleasures, but I totally push the boundaries of it sometimes. It's hard when I stay at home all day and the internet is just...HERE, and what else do I do? Getting out of the house more often has really really helped that for me, but it's still out of control.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, I have a major sweet tooth and feel like I need a sweet after almost every meal. I've tried recently to switch to a clementine after eating to see if it works, and it definitely helps! The tangy sweetness is definitely satisfying.
Maybe alter the 101 list a bit to say "cut back on" those things? Giving them up entirely sounds like it wouldn't make you as happy!
You know, I think you're completely right. I changed the 101 list. New "disciplinary" goals:
DeleteGo to bed by midnight, for two weeks
One hour or less of Internet use per day, for two weeks
Make my bed first thing in the morning, for two weeks
Create a daily/weekly schedule, and stick to it
I also changed the cut out sweets goal to something a little less drastic.
I have a gummy obsession. Especially gummy bears. It's a known fact to almost everyone around me too - because when I'm not having a good day or a really good day, those around me bring my gummy bears. once a coworker brought me a gummy snake that was at least 2 feet long. It was amazing! :)
ReplyDeleteI actually hate big gummies because then the balance of outside hard gummy and inside squishy gummy is off. It's like peppermint patties: only the fun-size ones are good.
Delete