What’s best than a Saturday evening at home, far from any social outlet, to reflect on something I had already thought about many times, but had proven somewhat more efficient now than it used to be during the summer?
Right, I admit it’d probably be funnier to go to the movies and to the Asian fast-food restaurant again (which, in spite of its name, actually servs quite healthy and tasteful options). But I had all of this yesterday, so let’s not complain!
So, I’m neck-deep into school matters again, including both homework and classes, and even though I’ve been worried about this, I’m also relieved now: being so busy has proven to be of great help, instead of becoming a hurdle. Yes, I’m stressed. Yes, I have tons of things to do, and two different schedules (work and school) to cram in a week. But I’m also kept away from food by classes themselves, since most of mine are held at ‘dangerous’ hours such as snack time, and I’ve realized one thing… If I can’t snack, it’s okay, because my mind is busy, I don’t have to think about it, and hunger doesn’t develop fast enough to become a real problem.
That was one of the things I’ve been struggling with during the holidays. I had my job to take care of, and I had books to read because I wanted to prepare some things in advance. However, I didn’t have the mental pressure of assignments to complete in a limited time nor of a class held in a foreign language, where focus on what the teacher says is really key; I could decide on my own hours, too, which left me vulnerable. As I’ve already mentioned on this blog, I was plagued with constant thoughts of “am I hungry or is it head-hunger”, “I wish it was already lunch/snack/dinner time”, “what breakfast will I eat tomorrow”, thoughts that made me dead tired about the whole weight-loss thing. Well, this particular problem is now gradually receding. I’m really glad about that. That’s why starting school again is a relief for me, I suppose.
And that’s exactly one thing I’ve known for a long time, although it’s not always easy to apply it: keeping busy is a real staple for me. I’m of these people who need a busy life, as crappy as it is at times. When I used to work part-time at home and didn’t have much to do the rest of the week, it turned to be a nightmare (don’t tell me ‘housework’: when you don’t like doing it except when necessary, like 95% of the population, I suppose, you won’t do it twice a day even if you need something to fill your day! ;)) . The result? I would eat out of boredom–my most dangerous trigger. Where this has led me, I know all too well.
No, seriously, I can’t stay at home, left to my own devices, too often (I will have to be very careful about that next summer!). For the moment, I’m going to enjoy–yes, enjoy–this (for once) good side-effect of being schooled and in the workforce at the same time. Because I don’t have the choice. I won’t skip classes, I won’t skip work, I won’t skip homework: there’s not much room left for boredom eating in all that, is there? Ah, the pleasure of being focused on a difficult translation, only to realize that it’s 8 pm and you haven’t even thought of eating yet!
I’m aware that I’d better shake off the bad habits rather than rely on that, of course. Nevertheless, given the career I’m pursuing, there’s no doubt that being so busy will help me acquire better habits along the way.
October 4th, 2007 at 12:00
“Am I hungry, or is it head-hunger?” That’s a great question, a mantra even, to ask when we are facing those moments.:)
October 4th, 2007 at 20:02
Ohh, yes, and it’s a question I really need to ask myself regularly enough. The most annoying thing is that real hunger is actually pretty easy for me to ‘resist’ to (I can easily wait 2 more hours before eating if needed). But head-hunger, my, what a catastrophe, and how it just keeps my mind focused on it. It’s annoying.