Habituality.

It's all the same, whether it's drugs or eating or shopping or sex or love or gambling. I'm talking about addiction. If "addiction" is too strong a word for you then we can use "unhealthy habits".

Everyone has some bad habits, but most of us don't let them affect the rest of our lives. That's when it becomes a problem, when we know something is no good for us yet we continue to do it anyway. That's where it goes from innocent fun to delinquency. Some examples:

Drugs: It always starts recreationally doesn't it? You're out partying with your friends so you smoke a little pot, snort a line or two, pop a couple pills. That's all well and good until you can't go to the store until you smoke a bowl. You can't finish your day without that stiff drink. You can't get out of bed until you take that Percocet just to get you going. You convince yourself that you NEED that joint to fall asleep. You really think your back hurts. You start buying beer just to wash down the coke drips.

Eating: Food is nourishment, life, energy, an absolute need. There's such an emotional tie to food. If you're happy you want to eat to celebrate. If you're sad you wanna eat to feel better. Then you get so used to eating all the time, your body thinks it's hungry just because your taste buds aren't stimulated. There's so much risk involved: heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, you name it.

Love: People get so addicted to people. I know it sounds funny but there's immense comfort in familiarity. We're hard wired with the concept of needing a partner. And that's all well and good when the other person is giving as much as their taking. But when our partner is emotionally and/or physically harming us, is it worth it? People will let other parts of their lives fall the wayside in the pursuit of loving someone and being loved. It's so bad to let your own love (which very much could be just a mask of familiarity and this intense desire to not be alone in the world) cloud what could be potentially harmful.

This begs the question: How do I overcome these obstacles? I have the fool proof plan! I know, I know, easier said than done yet it can be done!

1. Acknowledge the Problem

You need to really look at yourself and the problem and categorize it. What benefits are you gaining from these activities? What detriments? Accept that it's an issue.

2. Commit to Change

Once you've acknowledged that it IS an issue, you really need to convince yourself that fixing it is the only option. Remind yourself that you DO deserve the best life has to offer and keep telling yourself that failure is not acceptable.

3. Break the Habit

That's the hard part. It won't come easy at first but it gets easier through time. Once you know what's wrong and then convince yourself that's it time for a life change, then you have to do it. Stand your ground, refuse to be compromised, cut out the bad influence and embrace the new you. You're golden, platinum even, and every step you take can reinforce that.

Like Beanie Sigel paraphrases the old adage in his song 'Can You Feel It?': Shoot for the moon, even if you miss you'll still be amongst those stars.