Changing the Habit of Desire

Sometimes I work with clients who have been successful in controlling their weight, but then find themselves drinking more than they want. It’s a fascinating concept, and makes complete sense because desire can be transferable.

Desire is a learned behavior. We have a thought - like - I had a long day - which makes us desire something like a cookie or glass of wine in order to feel better.  We reward that desire with a concentrated dopamine hit and after awhile it just seems to be an unconscious occurrence.  The concentrated hit can be in the form of flour, sugar, alcohol, and the cycle eventually makes the brain think we need the hit in order to survive, and becomes a habit.

I also have clients that wish they could lose those last couple of pounds if only they could cut back on drinking.  

In either case - I want you to know, nothing has gone wrong.  

This is buffering at its finest - escape from what is going on and not wanting to feel pain or discomfort -  with food, or alcohol.  This happens because the brain is designed to work off the motivational triad of seek pleasure, avoid pain, and do it as efficiently as possible.  

The great news is, since it is a learned behavior you can also unlearn it.

I encourage you to become aware of what thoughts trigger you to reach for the alcohol.  It truly can be as simple as "I want it".  Write down what the thoughts are.  

All of them.  

Now you can notice them as simply, thoughts.  You  are in charge of thinking them.  You get to decide - is this really what you want?  

Is this what your future self wants?

The simple activity of taking a pause and becoming aware will help you begin unlearning the desire and truly creating the life you imagine.