Why is it so hard to do the right thing? Why does it feel so right doing the wrong thing?
Guilty pleasures they call it. But how far do we have to go with these guilty pleasures? How far do we go knowing that it has its consequences?
Guilty pleasures are habits we indulge in even when we know they are not necessarily doing us any good.
The cravings start slowly and gradually begin to increase till we find ourselves knee-deep. And even then, do we turn back? No, instead we begin to seek ways, methods, and strategies on how to justify and satisfy these guilty pleasures of ours.
It could be something as simple as skipping decent meals for junk food or the love for fizzy drinks over water during meals knowing that we only increase the risk of diabetes and general health issues to something more complicated as falling in love (or lust) with a legally married man or woman. Now we all know the problems that are associated with that kind of love.
At what point do we check our steps? At what point do we begin to realize that the happiness we seek cannot be found in such stray actions?
Contentment becomes far fetched, joy and happiness? An illusion.
I know we can fight this thing called guilty pleasures. If we make adequate and consistent conscious effort, we shall overcome.
HOW TO OVERCOME GUILTY PLEASURES
1.Take a decision:
The first step is taking that bold decision to desist and all other things will follow. Taking this step show that you have acknowledged your bad habit and you are willing to do something about it. Choosing RIGHT over WRONG could sometimes be hard but a determined mind will overcome.
2. Reflect on the consequences:
Think about what could go wrong. If you always remind yourself that your health would be no better for it if you don’t quit smoking, it would help sustain your decision to quit. When you find that there is always a rift between you and your partner owing to the fact that you pay more attention to your phone whilst he’s trying to have a decent conversation with you; then you know you’d have to check that.
3. Deprive and Reward
Off-course, there will be a few times when you’d be tempted to go back to your old ways. The truth is that it’s not easy to curb these cravings. There is something you can do to strengthen your will. I call it the “deprive and reward” formula. For example, reward yourself with a sweet smelling mint gum each time you feel like smoking.
You could set out on a mini vacation or even give yourself a spa treatment when you do not indulge for a month.
So whatever wrong it is you are struggling with, whatever guilty pleasure it is you indulge in, just take a break and look at the imminent set backs and consequences it can only lead to, then it would not be so hard to take that step.
We can do it if we try………
Do you have some guilty pleasures of your own? Please share with us
Author: lucille augustine
Really insightful
Thanks Ahmed. I am glad you find it insightful. Please remember to share to your friends.
I like the deprive and reward part . Got me thinking, yes i can do this. I can stop myself from pepper soup n meat joints for a while and then buy myself that wristwatch i have been eyeing.
Really really nice. I think my sis will like to see this
Nice. This is nice
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