Dear Readers,
What do you do to change your mood? I eat.
If I’m stressed, I eat. If I’m bored, I eat. For a headache or a heartache, when I’m sad, glad or mad, I EAT. With other people, I eat regular servings – even turning down dessert. When I’m alone – at my desk, in the car, in front of the television – the cravings start. My inner glutton emerges demanding to be fed. I think no one knows my secret. But how could my friends not notice the 30 pounds I’ve gained in the last few years? They’re just too kind to mention it.
Food is my way to celebrate, commiserate, rev myself up and calm myself down. If I could mainline Ben and Jerry’s Chunky Monkey ice cream, you would find me in a dark alley in back of the nearest convenience store getting my fix. As with other addictions, when my ice cream high wears off, I always feel guilty, sick and even more depressed. So I eat more ice cream to feel better. I am a dog chasing its tail.
They say the first step to overcoming addiction is to recognize and admit the problem. Writing this column is providing me the discipline and structure to do that. More importantly, it’s helped me forgive myself when I have setbacks and not let discouragement get in the way of my development. It’s 2013, and I’m no longer chasing my tail. And I think my tail is a little smaller.
Signed,
Ms. Corporate Manners
© Penny Aviotti and Ms.Corporate Manners 2003 – 2013.
