Anybody else have trouble eating just one bite of chocolate or (ah hem) even just one bar? Or put off important tasks until that book you’re reading is done or that Netflix series you’re watching is over? Or you clean your house like a maniac when…OK, let’s be honest I never clean like a maniac.
The other side of binge eating that chocolate, of course, is denying yourself any treats. Or having to pull a couple of all-nighters to finish your work because you spent a week catching up on The Walking Dead. Or you find out you have nothing to wear to your yearly conference, so you go crazy sprinting on your treadmill. Twice.
It’s called “All or Nothing”, and when I was younger it worked for me (kind of). I did everything in spurts. I studied in spurts, wrote papers in spurts, exercised in spurts, partied in spurts.
And when exams were done, I binged on books, movies, getting healthy again—whatever was the opposite if what I’d been doing.
Well, guess what? I still do this (other than being a middle-aged party mom—rawr!).
Quite frankly it’s stressful. Maybe it wouldn’t be if my world just revolved around me like it did when I was eighteen, but now it’s not just about me. I have to get up early to take the kids to school so pulling all-nighters totally suck. I have to walk the dog no matter if I have a deadline. I have to wash that pile of laundry that has become a hazardous zone or my family will have nothing clean to wear. I can’t stop everything to finish my book in time.
All or Nothing is draining me like a sexy vampire, while making me feel oh, sooo good.
Sure, it would be easier if I were to do lots of small productive things every day: my house would be cleaner, my word count would add up in a stress-free way, I would have small, controlled treats every day rather than chocolate pudding and Haagen Daz fests that last a week (and I wouldn’t worry about conference clothes not fitting). Not to mention, I’d get my kids to school before the first bell, instead of scrambling to class just as the second bell goes because I’m tired from working late.
But scheduling my life, like dieting and hard-core exercise plans have ALWAYS failed me in the past. Don’t get me wrong—I’m good at it. REALLY GOOD. I can plan, write lists, and schedule like a boss. That would be the ALL part of this equation. But I’ll only stick to it for so long, and like a boomerang, I’ll bounce back the other way. Which is the NOTHING part of the equation.
Sigh… Dean, I wish I knew how to quit you.
Anyone else find themselves caught in an All or Nothing trap? Let’s share some stories and tell me what finally worked for you!
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Alyson McLayne writes historical romance set in the Highlands of Scotland. Highland Betrayal, Book 3 in her series, The Sons Of Gregor MacLeod, is out now!
A Betrothal… A Betrayal… A Love Threatened By Treachery.
To keep her safe, he betrayed his promise.
Laird Callum MacLean vowed to marry Maggie MacDonnell. But when his father's apparent suicide makes him laird of his clan, Callum must unmask his father's killer before bringing Maggie into his dangerous home.
She's a strong Highland Lass. She can save herself.
Maggie's home isn't any safer. When Callum fails to return, Maggie does what any resourceful Highland lass would do. She escapes—and find's herself toe-to-toe with Callum, who's determined to fulfill his promise. Maggie can't bring herself to trust him with her heart again. But with a traitor still at large, they must rely on each other in every way, or their clans—and their love—will be destroyed.
Snag your copy today!
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She and her family reside in Vancouver with their sweet but troublesome chocolate lab puppy named Jasper.
Please catch up with Alyson on social media. She loves chatting with her readers!
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