QOTW 10.3: Habits and Addictions

QUESTION OF THE WEEK SEASON 10.3

What habits or addictions, both good and bad, have you developed, and which you would like to get rid of?

This week, I decided to get involved in the ecoTrain question of the week, which is “What habits or addictions, both good and bad, have you developed, and which would you like to get rid of?”

Well, that’s a big question! I think that modern life is conducive to all sorts of addictions, and maybe human beings are just susceptible to them? However, it is hard to imagine daily life without addictions, and certainly without habits. Honestly, I think we might go insane without habit or routine, but that’s another matter.

What is the difference between a “good” and “bad” habit or addiction? I suppose the answer is that if it has a negative effect on your life, it is “bad.” That might be simple, but isn’t it so?

Screen Addiction – Do we all have it?

Some habits of mine that might be viewed as addictions are my habit of being on the screen, whether it is my phone, tablet, or laptop. It is seductive. There is always something to do. Why is this negative? Well, I am told that the blue light from these devices can hamper my night’s sleep. Also, it takes time away from other activities of daily life.

Additionally, I worry about the impact of the electromagnetic radiation on my long-term health. Maybe it is minimal or maybe not. As well, I don’t think it is very good for my eyesight.

However, is there an additional cost to being “plugged in” so often? It seems like people don’t meet in person nearly as often as they used to. I realize there is a pandemic, but this was a problem long before the pandemic began. First, when people phoned, they hoped they would just get someone’s voice mail. Then, they stopped phoning and just emailed or texted.

Caffeine Addiction

Sometimes, I think everyone in the world is addicted to caffeine. Most people don’t even consider it an addiction. The Mormons supposedly do not consume caffeine. Or chocolate. I do not think I could be Mormon, on that basis alone. I do not mean any offense to Mormons. I just love caffeine and chocolate. I said “supposedly” because I had a friend who converted to Mormonism, but she consumed a lot of caffeine. However, she was not a very nice person, and probably not a great example of what the average Mormon aspires to.

By the way, did you know that the Mormons have secret underwear? That is not a joke. I wonder whether it is comfortable. If it is particularly comfortable, and that became well known, I wonder what the consequences would be. Would people convert to Mormonism just for the underwear?? I can think of worse reasons to join a religion.

I am thinking of Saxx underwear. Have you heard of it? It is a relatively new underwear company that produces insanely expensive underwear for men that is said to be “life changing.” Several of my male friends confirm that this underwear, which costs about as much per pair as an ounce of silver, is indeed life altering. Is it life altering because it makes you broke? They say that is not the reason.

If the Mormon Church is looking for converts, maybe they should get together with the Saxx corporation and redesign their temple garments. It’s just a thought.

Chocolate Addiction

Now that I have already probably offended the Mormons, I am also addicted to chocolate, which Mormons do not eat. They eat carob, though. I like carob, but it’s not chocolate. Why can Mormons eat carob and not chocolate? That seems sad. One day, if Mormons come to my door, maybe I will ask them about it.

By the way, if religious youngsters ever come to your door to convert you: I read recently that, often, they are sent out for two reasons. The first is obvious – to convert the heathen. However, the second is less obvious, which is to show these young people how mean people outside the church really are.

Think about that. It’s a smart strategy because most people are really mean to the youngsters who come to bring religion to their door. I read that many of these young people are lonely and homesick. The compassionate response is to invite them in, give them a snack, and offer to let them use the phone to call their mothers.

If they want to talk about Jesus, what is the harm? Now that I understand the situation, I am not going to be yet another person who convinces these young people that they can only find friendliness in the arms of their religion. I want to show them that there are kind people who don’t believe the same things they do.

Have I strayed from the topic of chocolate? Yes. Well, I don’t imagine it would be right to give the Mormon evangelists a cup of coffee and a piece of chocolate, but maybe I could find them a nice snack that would be appropriate.

I love chocolate. I especially love Dairy Milk by Cadbury. It tastes different in different countries, but it is still good. The one from the UK is the best. That is an objective fact. Ha ha.

Exercise

Sometimes, I am addicted to exercise. When I am, I am so grateful. It is a healthy addiction. It feels good. Those little endorphins run around in my head partying like it is 1999. They are living in the past, but I don’t care. It’s a non-stop thrill ride, and I love it!
I should really start exercising again.

Crypto

Crypto is a strange addiction because it can be both healthy and unhealthy. It can be unhealthy if it is all you think about and you sink all your savings into it and lose all your money. That would not be very good at all.

For many people, it is an interesting pastime, a way to meet people, and a way to make money (on a good day). However, there are hidden benefits. Several people have told me that, in order to be slaves to their crypto addiction, they have given up more unhealthy addictions.

For example, some people have told me that they used to be addicted to shopping, but now, they funnel that money into buying crypto. Others have told me that they used to be addicted to drugs, gambling, or junk food, but now? That’s money that can go to crypto.

So, of course it is not good to spend all your money on crypto if you cannot afford it, but I think it’s pretty amazing that crypto is such a compelling habit that it has caused many people to walk away from some far more destructive habits.

I think I have a mild crypto addiction. I definitely spend less because of crypto, and I think I had a mild spending problem before I got into crypto. I say “mild” because I am not obsessed with it, but I still think about it a lot. I don’t invest more than I could afford to lose, but I would probably be sad if I lost it anyhow. Who wouldn’t?

Conclusion

I would like to get back into being addicted to exercise, but, other than that, I feel pretty good about my current addictions. That sounds strange, but I don’t mind being mildly addicted to crypto. Similarly, I enjoy screens a lot. It’s a big part of my life. If they suddenly went away, I could survive, but I want them in my life. The same could be said of caffeine and chocolate. These are all things that I consider to be part of life’s pleasures.

I think that the term “addiction” already implies that we have gone beyond moderation in our enjoyment. However, this brings me back to my original point, which is to ask what makes an addiction “bad?” I think it is bad when it is hampering our overall enjoyment of life, which, at this point, I do not believe my addictions are doing.

Edit: It suddenly occurred to me that I think I am starting to get addicted to Hive. Healthy or unhealthy addiction? I say healthy!

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