Here's My Plan For Overcoming All Addictions

[LetTheNewDayBegin]

Description

Let's face it. All people in the contemporary western world are addicts.

Even though I don't have any serious addictions but I am sure that I have plenty of subtle ones. Unfortunately those subtle ones are completely unidentified.

Assumption

If I somehow expose all my addictions at once, I will be able to overcome the problem of addiction for good.

Plan

To make an addictions visible, I need to remove the presence of its stimulus.

To make all addictions visible, I will remove the presence of all the stimuli I can think of.

Execution details

For half of the week, for every week from now on, whenever I am faced with a choice, I will:

- choose to drink plain water

- choose to eat plain food

- meditate with concentration on emptiness during my meditation sessions

- choose to do house chores over entertainment

- during studying, choose to study things that are less exciting

- choose to socially engage with people that I don't feel comfortable with

I may extend this list as I observe the examples throughout the days.

Please note

The idea is that I don't change dramatically the way I live, it's just that I choose the less exciting and more difficult thing whenever I'm presented with a choice.

Sources of addictive patterns

~  Added on 2017-07-02 11:40 ~

I've identified three sources of addictive behaviour.

+------------+--------------------+-----------------------+
| Source     |       Reason       |        Effects        |
+------------+--------------------+-----------------------+
| Comfort    | Going for relief   | A short-term benefit  |
| Forcing    | Going for success  | that contributes      |
| Excitement | Going for pleasure | to general unhappiess |
+------------+--------------------+-----------------------+

No matter which source, the effects of addictive behaviours are always the same: I feel like I've taken a shortcut and I feel kind of bad about it.

For each of those three sources I will have three different recipes that will help me overcome them.

Comfort - the withdrawal shortcut

+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
|                     |                   Comfort                    |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| Change of action    | Find appropriate challenges                  |
| Change of attention | Stop withdrawing yourself into the comfort   |
| Change of attitude  | Notice how uncomfortable is the comfort zone |
+---------------------+----------------------------------------------+

Forcing - means to an end shortcut

+---------------------+-------------------------+
|                     |         Forcing         |
+---------------------+-------------------------+
| Change of action    | Prepare appropriately   |
| Change of attention | Let go and feel into it |
| Change of attitude  | Accept failures         |
+---------------------+-------------------------+

Excitement - the substitution shortcut

+---------------------+------------------------------------+
|                     |             Excitement             |
+---------------------+------------------------------------+
| Change of action    | Choose the less exciting activity  |
| Change of attention | Focus on the less exciting details |
| Change of attitude  | Slow down, take frequent pauses    |
+---------------------+------------------------------------+

 

Edited July 2, 2017 by LetTheNewDayBegin

[Wyatt]

This would put you in a place of uncomfort regularly, which is great for growth. Get to see the limits of your willpower, as well as a multitude of new concepts and worldviews. It could probably work, if you're able to diligently stick with it. If you burn out and go back to what feels comfortable without putting a solid 6 months-2 years into this, this path probably isn't the best choice. Would appreciate periodic updates!

[Adam M]

You can't do this...it's too extreme...you need to be more methodical and strategic (focusing on one thing at a time)...however you have the right idea though...

[S33K3R]

That is fantastic. One thought.

When I in the past have tried to understand various cravings or addictions I would keep the thing stimulating the adiction and immerse myself into the moment of craving. Almost to have it right there and stop..... Look at the sensation..... Try to increase desire for it. Enjoy that moment of need. 

I did this. I don't know the reason for it. I wanted to share because your plan reminded me.

[LetTheNewDayBegin]

Thank you for your comments. I added some guidelines to myself that ought to help me through the process.