March 13, 2014 Dealing with Obsession

I admit it.  I obsess.  Over things.  Over people.  Over events.  Over whatever.

I've gotten better about it over the last few years, but I'm not over it.  It still rears its ugly head every now and then.  Like now.  I'm obsessing and it's driving me crazy because, frankly, what I'm obsessing over really isn't worth the trouble.  (not that it ever is!)  So I came up with a plan.

Whenever the object of my obsession pops into my head, I think of something really bad for me which would also make me sick to my stomach.  What did I pick?  Extra crispy fried chicken. 

Yep, I'm not a fan of it anyway, and the double fried kind sends my stomach into fits.  So that's what I picked.  At the moment, all it's doing is putting I giant grin on my face when I think about it, but I'm hoping that, in time, I really will connect the obsession with this really nasty, stomach churning mess, and I will have created my very own, personal aversion therapy. 

Am I alone in this?  Do other people regularly obsess over things, people or events that they can't, realistically, have?  Or am I more than just an ADHD writer with too much time on her hands?  Am I actually a certifiable whack job?

Don't get me wrong.  Obsessing doesn't typically get in the way of doing the things I want or need to do.  It's more of an annoying fly that pops into my head at inopportune moments.  And, as I said earlier, it isn't as common any more.  I guess that's why, when it happens now, it rocks my world a bit until I realize what's happening and put myself into avoidance mode.  Or in this case, nasty, greasy fried chicken mode. 

You can't tell me that it wouldn't deter you to picture whatever you're obsessing about as a giant chicken leg, covered in batter and dripping with grease.  (Unless, of course, you happen to be a fan of that cuisine).  Or maybe see it as a trip to a sadistic dentist with a drill big enough for an elephant?    Whatever works!  The whole idea is to make the object of the obsession so distasteful that it is no longer something you desire. 

So if you need me, I'll be double bagging the trash and taking it outside before the rancid oil turns me off of food indefinitely!

My gratitudes tonight are:
1. I am grateful for my fertile imagination.
2. I am grateful for the reprogramming which has allowed me to move forward with the editing of my book.
3. I am grateful for new and diverse opportunities.
4. I am grateful for endings and new beginnings.
5. I am grateful for the continued improvement to my strength and endurance.

Love and light.