Hidden Addictions Part 2 – Identify Your Hidden Addictions
This post is part 2 of the “Hidden Addiction” series. Be sure to read Hidden Addictions Part 1 – What Is A Hidden Addiction?
In my first post of this series, I talked about what a hidden addiction is. Freeing ourselves from these addictions can bring a great deal of happiness, independence, and power to our lives. Defining a hidden addiction is the first step. The second step is identifying our own hidden addictions.
This sounds easier than it is. You may be able to identify one or two off the top of your head, but to get a full list of all your hidden addictions is quite difficult. That is why they are called “hidden addictions”. Hidden things are hard to find! And in addition to that, even if they are in plain view, they might not be perceived as a negative thing right away.
Keep Track of Your Addictions
To aid you in your search for your hidden addictions, I suggest you make a list. Getting your thoughts down on paper will help you make sense of it all and see it all together. Plus, if your memory is a little off (like mine) then this is a must.
Start off your list by writing down the negative things in your life that you do all the time. Just note the obvious ones. There should be at least a few for everyone.
To find even more possible negative habits, it will take some time. For the next few days, keep your list nearby. Observe your life as close as you can. Ask yourself these questions throughout the day:
What activities take up most of my time during the day?
How much do I sleep?
How much do I exercise?
How much TV do I watch?
How much time do I spend on the internet?
What are my eating habits?
What are my reactions to things that don’t go the way I want them to?
Am I happy throughout most of my day?
That list of questions should get you started. Then, if possible, ask your close friends and family about some bad habits that you might have. This will take a lot of honesty on their part, so be sure to let them know that you want an honest answer and that you won’t get upset with them. The eyes of others can catch things that we would never think of. Some of the things they say will be hard to hear and might make you angry or sad, but do your best to not react negatively. They are just trying to help you identify your hidden addictions so that you can overcome them.
I am curious to see what your hidden addictions are. In honor of the “three things” weekly post at On Simplicity, please list three of your hidden addictions. Let me get things started:
- Internet – Blogging, searching, reading, watching, chatting, stumbling… there just aren’t enough hours in a day!
- Sensitivity – In certain situations this is an asset, but not most of the time for me. I tend to break down at the slightest criticism which sends me into a state of low self-confidence. Keeping my spirits high and the blame off of myself is a very difficult thing for me.
- Food – I eat when I am hungry. I eat when I am full. I eat when I am happy. I eat when I am sad. I eat when I am busy. I eat when I am bored. No matter what activity I am doing, my mind seems to always wander back to food.
Be sure to come back soon and check out part 3 of the hidden addiction series. In that post I will talk about strategies we can use to overcome our addictions. I will be asking for your ideas as well!
Photo By chaosinjune
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Oh Boy…You want me to list three of my hidden additions to the world! I’m not sure how hidden they are, but here I go.
1. Internet – Now more than ever.
2. Chocolate – Can’t get enough of it.
3. Allowing myself to enter Fight or Flight Mode – I’m working on getting rid of this one.
Stacey / Create a Balances last blog post..How Do You Practice the Art of Life Balance?
1. sugar (especially ice cream)
2. eating poorly (mac and cheese, lack of fruit/veg, etc.)
3. easily angered when driving (never taken out on anyone though..at least not physically) it’s a good thing i don’t have to take the highway to work any more…
My three big ones:
1. Food
2. Lack of Exercise
3. Worry toooooo much
I can go on and on, but I am tackling it little by little.
Julias last blog post..Indognito
Hi There,
This is a very thought provoking blog post. I found you on Zen Habits by the way.
I think mine would have to be reading things that are shared on Twitter. Although, that’s how I found you!
I really enjoy finding good stuff online, but I also think that’s a pro vs. a con.
I appreciate you! Look forward to reading some more great content.
Dali Burgado
Dali Burgados last blog post..Outsourcing for Productivity and Success Online
@ Stacey – Internet… better than sex! Fighting our nature is tough, in response to your flight or flight addiction.
@ Kristen – More making ice cream, less eating it! We need to help each other eat better, for reals this time. At least I get some entertainment our of your angered driving addiction, ha!
@ Julia – Those all plague me as well.
@ Dali – Zen Habits, what an amazing blog. Thanks for coming by! I am now subscribed your RSS feed and following you on Twitter. I am not hooked to Twitter just yet… hopefully I never will be.
- Jack Rugile
Simple Sapien
This addiction subject is one that is just starting to come over my full-awareness threshold. I’m not sure this is entirely accurate, but my personal definition of addiction (so far, still in process) is this: When an activity/behavior/thought process that you ENJOY DOING AND DO BY CHOICE transitions into an activity/behavior/thought process that you NEED TO DO AND DO INVOLUNTARILY OR AGAINST YOUR NORMAL BETTER JUDGEMENT.
By that definition, an addiction may actually become a healthy and positive thing, IF IT IS KEPT IN MODERATION, IN FULL AWARENESS AND ONLY IN A POSITIVE CONSTRUCTIVE VEIN. To give it a sports-related analogy, (I am NOT big on sports, BTW) somethimes is is better to punt or give up a few yards in order to prevent a run to the end-zone by the opposition.
There are a million addictions to identify, especially when you bring the thought-process classification into play. I will hopefully expand on this as the iceberg emerges from the water. For now, for what it may be worth, this is my contribution, PLEASE reply.
A bad habit or doing something alot is not an addiction. Its an action that creates negative consequences and is difficult to control–meaning you end up doing it more than intended. Addiction is a matter of degree.
Fort those who want to know if their habit is more than just a habit you can take a test at my website.
hiddenaddiction.com where you can also find where to get resources for identifying specific addictions .
Is the part 3 posted anywhere??
I really need help with this! Thanks!