Soft Addictions

I recently came across this article online, talking about "kicking soft addictions"...such as the addictive impulse to check Facebook or email.

In the article, it mentions, "Some hard-to-measure addictions can snowball so slowly that by the time you realize you're in trouble, you're already in too deep, says neuroradiologist Louis M. Teresi, M.D."

And that's the thing.

Every single action has a consequence.

Every single action, thought, and inaction is another ripple in the pond.

This isn't to say that by checking Facebook after you read this, that you will become addicted to Facebook.  But it is important to pay attention to the fact that you are doing so.  

Thoughts are actions as well.  That thought you had about hating that certain part of your body?  You may drift right on past it this time, but remember....things snowball.  One thought here, one thought there and suddenly you are hating yourself.  Not a good place to be.

Take a few moments today to consider in what places in your life you might be "addicted".  In what areas do you feel as though you've lost control, or conscious input?  What can you do right now to begin to change that (if you desire to)?

Remember - every action, every thought has a consequence.  Even feeling negatively about an addiction can lead to a new addiction -- feeling badly about your own actions.  

So be gentle with yourself.

Be present.

Begin with awareness.

Namaste. 

Comments

[Sherry Smyth]

The snowball effect is very sneaky indeed. I know I have those kinds of soft addictions. I think we all do, some are just better at managing them. A few weeks ago I realized just how much time I waste on Facebook -- not doing anything important or constructive. If I narrow down the time I need to say hello to friends, catch up with someone or see what's doing for someone else I can be in and out. But I tend to linger. So I cut myself off for a few weeks and was amazed at the other things I was accomplishing. I'm back there - but in a very low key way...I don't want to get sucked in again!