4 Addictions That Are Ruining Your Life. Hint, it’s not Netflix!

Ok so right now you are probably thinking that you know what those addictions are. Well, let me tell you you are so, so, so wrong. Just to prove it here’s another hint. It’s not cigarettes, whiskey & wild women as is the song by the Sons of the Pioneers.

It’s not even the addiction to milk and alcohol as favored by Dr. Feelgood.

Nor Golden brown (heroin) as revered by the Stranglers.

Nope, it’s not any of the substances or obsessions that we love to hate and chat about days when we’re discussing addictions. The nasty little addictions I’m talking about are not the ‘help! I’m addicted to sex, drugs, alcohol & chocolate kinda thing’.

Nope, these addictions are rarely ever mentioned and you certainly won't find any self-help groups or church meetings banging on about the perils of being addicted to them.

So what are these dirty little addictions that worm their way into our being and completely screw up our lives in unimaginable ways?

They are…….Drum roll…….

Your feelings.

Yep, that’s right you my friend are probably addicted to some particularly nasty, loathsome feelings that as we speak are doing their best to make your life a living hell.

If left unchecked they can lead to a serious case of life unfilled, complete and total misery, and life long sentence of feeling sorry for yourself.

These grubby little feelings are particularly toxic to your mind body and spirit and if you don’t take action against them they can be debilitating. They will cause you to continue habits that are detrimental to your body and soul and prevent you from becoming the best possible version of yourself.

So what are they?

I’m glad you asked. Let’s kick off with bad boy number one and that's Guilt.

A serious case of guilt can have you feeling like shit for days, weeks, months or even years.

Hence the saying ‘racked with guilt. This nasty little guilt emotion if not stamped out quickly will spread faster than Covid throughout your body. Like a petulant child, it will demand constant attention and feed like a vampire on your lifeblood.

Guilt hates being alone and so will often call in other feelings for a pity party. High on the invite list is Embarrassment.

This guy well he’s a wham-bam kinda man. He inflicts pain quickly and sharply. But beware he’s very cunning. He likes to bury things in your memory and bring them out when you least expect it. He definitely likes the spotlight so you always know when he is around.

Next on the invite list is Shame.

Shame is a sneaky little bastard. He’s more like the malware you don’t know you’ve got. He’s always there in the background. Whispering sweet reminders of failures in your ear reminding you of how you failed to live up to certain expectations. He never goes away. He’s always lurking in the shadows and running scripts in your brain.

Number 4 on the party list is Inadequacy A.K.I’m not good enough. This bad boy is a real tough cookie. Once he gets a boot in the door you might as well give up. He is a master at making you believe you are a nothing and a nobody and he is happy to replay his message at every opportunity.

At this point, you may be shouting rubbish! What is she babbling on about?

Just hang on a second hear me out. Just think about this for a minute. Have you ever vowed to;

• stop drinking
• stop smoking
• stop eating junk food
• stop binge-watching TV
• Stop having so much sex
• Fill in your own addiction here.

Maybe you last a day and then you have the predictable epic fail.

The moment you break the vow you feel terrible. The little voice in your head kicks in. That’s guilt. He strut’s in and kicks off the party.

Good job. NOT!

I thought you were going to give up? What’s wrong with you? Why couldn’t you even last a day?

You try to reason with guilt and promise to do better tomorrow.

But Guilts a party animal and the invites are already out and shame, embarrassment, and inadequacy are on their way.

You promise to do better. Maybe you do better for a day or a week and then it’s another epic fail. Guilt pops up and this time he’s got the boys with him.

You feel guilty the moment you break the vow. Ashamed of yourself. Embarrassed that your willpower wasn’t strong enough and inadequate. After all if others can do it. Why not you?

And so the cycle continues. Guilt, embarrassment, shame, the inadequacy

It will continue until you become aware that they are there.

So the next time you fail just say hello to the party animals and tell them to get out. Instead of focusing on trying to stop drinking smoking etc. focus on releasing the feelings of guilt, embarrassment, shame, and inadequacy that inevitably follow whenever you don’t succeed.

Will it work?

Well, it worked for me. Using this approach I was able to give up drinking as it allowed me to shift my focus. Try it. That’s all I can say.

Share this with anyone you think needs it.