To rationalise our bad choices, is to tell ourselves "rational-lies!"
* Life is hard, life is painful and this will make me feel better. I deserve this.
* I’m just chilling a bit. I can stop anytime I like.
* I don’t take it/smoke it/drink it/do it because I have to… I take it/smoke it/drink it/do it because I want to.
Sound familiar? The truth is anything that we feel compelled to do is controlling us, we’re not controlling it. It could be porn, alcohol, drugs, Facebook or even exercise – just to name a few. If it’s driving us to do things we know we would be better off not doing, or at least doing in moderation; and if we feel we are out of control without it, we’re not free.
The good news is the cycle of compulsive behaviour can be broken. It’s not easy but it is always life changing when it happens.
The first step is in discovering what core emotional need we have that isn’t being met. Then we can start to understand what we’re trying to compensate for with whatever substance or action we’re depending on to make ourselves feel better.
If you would like to talk about compulsive behaviours or anything else, make contact today.
