Cut It Out
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 5:26PM A good friend of mine is conducting an experiment. Not with beakers or Petri dishes, but instead, one of will power that will hopefully lead to quantum manifestation. Basically, she’s cutting out one of her habits that’s getting in the way of her achieving her dreams. She wants to see how quickly she will get what she wants if her self-planted obstacle is removed. She has vowed to do this for an entire year.
When she told me about this I immediately felt both inspired and like a total loser. I often think about my habits that impede me from reaching my dreams, but I do them anyway, because in that moment, they make me feel good. And tomorrow I might feel guilty and crappy, so I partake some more. We all do things, often everyday, that get in the way of our goal. I think that’s just called not being a dork and living a full life. Those people who never take a day to say, “Fuck it, I’m going to eat fried food and watch shitty T.V.” or anything comparable are really just obnoxious.
But there’s definitely a delineation between some intermittent debauchery so you don’t become a robot with no friends, and daily bad habits that over the course of years, could be the answer to achieving your dream, or not. My friend didn’t spell that out to me, but she didn’t need to, my mind went there. And it whirlpooled around my many habits that certainly delay my pursuit. Dear god, if I were to cut out what could be getting in the way of achieving my dream, where would I begin? I was suddenly overwhelmed and craving pizza and beer.
Okay, so I’m going to come clean. I’m not Catholic, but maybe there’s something to be said for confession? And you are now my priest. No collar or rosaries required (or even pants for that matter). Hopefully through my confession, and your support, I can start my own experiment of quantum manifestation.
Here it is, the list of my habits that get in the way of my dreams:
(I feel as though I’m about to stand naked in front of a crowd and I forgot to wax.)
1. Television. Primarily Bravo shows. They suck me in like a dog to another dog’s ass. I just can’t say “no” and let one pass me by. I have to check them all out, thoroughly. It’s obscene. I shouldn’t know all of the housewives’s names, in every city. I should not; I do not want to; please help me. Take my word for it, just like heroine, never do Bravo, not even just once.
2. Booze. I’m not even close to an addict, but the morning after an evening of cocktails definitely doesn’t make me want to run to my computer and write the next great American novel. It makes me want to stay in my pjs and watch Bravo.
3. Dried Pineapple. I know, I know. It sounds absurd. But TRUST ME, it is a catalyst for my destruction. Dried pineapple is definitely an addiction of mine. I’m obsessed with it. I could eat an entire bag in one sitting (I think there’s two whole pineapples in each bag). And too much of any one thing can’t be good for you. I can’t just eat one piece though. Take your one piece and go fuck yourself. Once its open, the bag is a goner. And then I feel guilty because it’s a bazillion grams of sugar (I’m a chick, what can I say) and each bag costs $5.00. How can I justify a $35.00 a week dried pineapple habit when I can barely make my car payments? When I think about it, it makes me feel so guilty all I want to do is tune out and watch Bravo.
4. Weed. Not one of my addictions, but I do love me some herb. There’s definitely something terrific about how it makes me forget about all my stress like nothing else can. But when I smoke I could blow through a week’s supply of dried pineapple. You see, it’s a nasty cycle.
5. Gum. I don’t see gum as something that impedes my dreams, but I chew so much of it that my jaw is starting to ache and pop out of socket and I definitely can’t afford any more dentist visits. So yeah, yeah, yeah, it’s probably something I should quit. But goddamnit I love it.
There it is, my list. Eeeek, I feel like I just let slip the “L” word to a boyfriend for the first time and he’s standing there silent. Okay, so I’m not going to make any grand statements that I’ll for sure break. I’m not going to promise to cut out all five habits tomorrow. I don’t do well with restrictions. I’ve learned that when there are rules in my life, I work really hard to break them. So I’m going to start with a baby step. More of a gnat hop really. Here it is people: I’m not going to buy dried pineapple for one entire month. Oh god, I’m already having regrets. No, no, I can do this…right? Of course. Jesus, Buffy, put things in perspective.
I will keep you posted. Unless, of course, by removing this habit, this self-planted obstacle, I achieve my dream so fast that I don’t have time to post because I’m busy buying Maseratis and villas in Tuscany. Whoop whoop!
Bravo, confession, dreams, pineapple, vice
Reader Comments (6)
YOU can do it !!!!
"Baby steps" is the key girl !! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh...the things we do to ourselves.... :(
You can do it!! I wouldn't even know where to start on the bad habits/addictions: reality TV, coffee, sugar, OCD picking at things. Yikes! Maybe I'll go down to just one shot of espresso each day instead of two. :)
Well.
On Behalf of Vicki Gunvlason, Jeana Keough, Louri Waring-Peterson, Tamra Barney, Lynne Curtin, Gretchen Rossi (OC),
Jill Zarin, Ramona Singer, LuAnn De Lesseps, Alex McCord, Kelly Bensimmon, Bethany Frankel (NYC),
NeNe Leakes, Lisa Wu Hartwell, Sheree Whitfield, DeShawn Snow, Kim Zolciak (ATL),
Caroline Manzo, Dina Manzo, Teresa Giudice, Jacqueline Laurita, and of course the amazing Danielle (if that's her real name) Staub (NJ)
we are appalled that you have a sick and diseased obsession with Bravo reality television.
Sad sad sad.
(and yes, you're right. I did list those in order of when they premiered into our lives. And don't make me add the kids from NYC prep. Cuz I will)
Um, Bravo is a life enhancer not a detrement to success. As say this of course having just watched the Housewives of Atlanta Reunion show for the 500th time because I refuse to delete it from my DVR. I think I will make a different type of list, one where I list all the things I like about NeNe.
You go with your bad Bravo self!
Come on dude, these facts* and proof* i mean who is posting* lol :P Suchmaschinenoptimierung