The Friday List (nice things you’ve done for yourself this week)
Dang, it’s hard to give up sweets. I mean really, really super hard. But I’m on Day 15 without Cadbury bars or pumpkin scones or frozen yogurt with Reese’s on top or any of that. Siiiiiiigh. But I’m doing it because Julia Cameron’s new book The Writing Diet really hit home with me, and I feel like I can no longer ignore my intense addiction to sugar. So I’ve had a little here and there in the form of homemade jams and honey with my organic peanuts-and-salt-only peanut butter, and I’ve even reintroduced that little half-teaspoon of brown sugar I love to have on top of my oatmeal in the morning, but yesterday when I stood in line at the vegan restaurant and saw that big-ass peanut butter cookie I always love to order, I had a moment of decision: do I go for the quick thrill, or do something that I feel is overall much healthier for my brain? I went with brain. Wah!
But it really is a brain issue–for me, at least. Maybe some of you can have your daily sweets and still enjoy clear heads, but I recognized myself in some of those testimonials Julia included in her book, and knew they spoke the truth when they described the fog and lethargy and apathy brought on by a good old-fashioned sugar binge. And it’s the same as giving up even my occasional glass of red wine a few years ago (also because of a Julia Cameron book, I might add)–I value clear thinking and enjoy my own thoughts too much to compromise them for the sake of a little indulgence.
Do I wish I could have a big old Starbucks pumpkin scone on my way back from Phoenix this afternoon after my school presentation there this morning? Spaghetti you betti. But do I really want the sugar hangover later? All right, fine–no. So there goes that sweet little tradition and reward.
But I’m hoping the long-term reward will be worth it. I’m not doing this to lose weight or anything like that (although I’m certainly not complaining about my looser pants)–I truly am doing this for my mind. And that seems a worthy reason, so onward I go.
And I’ll make an exception for family parties, because I am willing to accept the hangover that comes with eating my mother’s cinnamon rolls or other such delicacies from my childhood. Let’s be reasonable, after all.
So that’s my nice thing this week (although maybe it sounds like torture to some of you). I’ll be curious to hear if any of you (Heather? Michelle? anyone else?) have come to the same conclusion after reading the Cameron book.
And now I’m off to visit a school for their morning assembly. I sent the librarian there an e-mail yesterday with the subject line “Very important question.” Then one simple line: Where is your closest Starbucks?
As far as I’m concerned, coffee is good for my brain. It stays.
And now back to you guys: What are your acts of self-kindness this week? Lay ‘em on me.
Technorati Tags: The Friday List, Self-Kindness, Self-Pampering, Self-Care, Julia Cameron, The Writing Diet, Sugar Addiction, Oh How I Miss My Cadburys
March 7th, 2008 at 5:31 am
Props to you, Robin, but The Writing Diet sounds *scary*.
Coffee is absolutely good for my brain. Mmmm.
My nice thing for the week was going to see a traveling production of Avenue Q last night. Way fun.
March 7th, 2008 at 5:39 am
I don’t know how much sugar is too much, but have you tried those TLC chewy oatmeal dark chocolate cookies? They are delicious and made with whole grains, so the sugar is balanced with fiber and even a bit of protein. Also, I’m a big fan of Teas’Tea’s no sugar iced green tea with green jasmine. Okay, sometimes I throw a splash of sweetened lemonade in there, but just a splash.
My nice things: A walk by a stream, reading a new book, and finally finishing my taxes. I’m also cleaning my house. I don’t like to clean, but I love living in cleanness, so…
March 7th, 2008 at 5:58 am
I said ‘no’ to continuing as the president of the golf league for next year. I am working on reducing such commitments so I will have more time for writing and promoting my book WHEN it finally arrives.
I also cleaned off my desk (although you would not know it to look at it) and started the book one of my editors has asked for.
March 7th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Good for you, Robin!
I’m extremely sugar-dependent. The other day, I was dizzy and slightly queasy and totally foggy, and I realized it was because I didn’t have any sugar that day or the day before. I’m slowly weaning myself off. What’s interesting to me is that although I have a reputation for a huge sweet tooth, if I’m not starving, I would choose salty & savory over sweet almost every time. It’s just that when I’m hungry, my brain is like, “COOKIES! EAT THEM ALL!” And I, of course, am powerless.
But the longer I can make it without overindulging, the better I am. Yesterday I sat in a room full of health nuts with a tray of snacks in front of me allllll day, and I only ate a fraction of what they ate. I’m hoping that once it clicks, it might stay clicked.
I need to dig in to The Writing Diet… do you do the morning pages? I just can’t justify spending that time when I have a first draft to finish.
Ugh, long comment, sorry!
March 7th, 2008 at 8:14 am
The book has TMTH (too much to handle, for those of you who are Amish) but if I don’t do something about how I self-medicate with food, I’m never going to grow up. When the woman talked about a five-year-old feeding herself, I almost shut the book.
March 7th, 2008 at 10:43 am
The nice thing I’m doing for myself right this minute is…
blaming it all on the cookies! Yes, all of it. The messy house. The cluttered mind. The undone taxes. The sleds in the yard when there’s no hope of snow. The replies I should have sent. The questions I didn’t answer. I’m brushing off the responsiblity like dandruff from my shoulders and I’m blaming it all on the sugar. At least until Tuesday.
(With some line breaks and tweaking that would be a pretty decent poem, wouldn’t it?)
March 7th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Well,Wilma the cold is slowly but surely departing from my territory,which is nice. I stayed up late reading Twilight(loved that whole section where Edward rescued Bella from those street punks and then had to calm down by taking her to dinner!)and this weekend,my mom and I will be watching Ratatouille,courtesy of Netflix.
Gotta enjoy the small stuff when you can:)
March 7th, 2008 at 11:22 am
I am so proud of you Robin! I wish I had your will power! I just don’t! I love sweets too much.
As for this week, I went to sleep at seven p.m and last night I had dinner with Dean Lorey and the gang! It was fun!!
March 7th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
I finished some school work this week, which is a major thing for me. Tomorrow I think I’m going shopping with my friend Erin. She’s shopping for a prom dress (she’s 17) and I’m just going to offer my opinion. For what’s it worth.
March 7th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Okay, first of all, the confession: Back to Day 1 tomorrow. Actually, let’s start as of about two hours ago. But before that I gave in and kept going, and needless to say, big hangover right now, and why did I do it? Because I wanted to celebrate, and I haven’t learned yet how to celebrate and reward myself in ways other than with chocolate and sugar. But since my policy on the blog is honesty, even when it’s ugly honesty, I couldn’t let you go on thinking I was so strong. Yet. Ugh. But that’s what starting over is for, right? Ugh, ugh, ugh. Anyway . . .
Adrienne, is Avenue Q actually good? I’m not sure I’m in the mood for adult muppets. But if you say it’s funny and worth my time, I’ll believe you.
Sara, love the sound of a walk by a stream! And I managed to finish my taxes this week, too–isn’t that like passing a stone once you finally finish? Such relief. And once again let me say how happy I am for you about your new book deal. What a great week!
Judy, big applause for turning down that obligation. That’s so hard, and yet so completely necessary if we’re going to reclaim our time and energy. And what some people don’t seem to get is it doesn’t mean we want to fill that time slot with more activity. Sometimes the whole point is to add more down time. Bravo, bravo to you.
Katie, having confessed what I just did, obviously I can relate to the “COOKIES! EAT THEM ALL!” syndrome. I’m glad to know you’re trying, too. Please send me some good vibes and let’s boost each other up.
Heather, first of all, thanks for explaining TMTH. I really wouldn’t have been able to figure that out. Second, I, too, could relate to the feeding yourself like a 5-year-old line. The truth hurts, and that book really left me sore. But I needed to hear it all.
Mother Reader, that could totally be a poem. Use it next Friday and see what people think. And yes, by all means blame each and every one of those things on sugar. I’m not kidding. They seem like classic symptoms to me.
Lady T, Wilma be gone! Move on! We’re tired of her. As for that scene from Twilight, sigh. Loved it. That girl heart of mine loves the idea of some handsome immortal man saving me–even though the feminist side of me has all sorts of arguments for why I don’t need that, etc. But I suspend that for the duration of those books. Swoon.
Shai, so much for will power. But I will try again. And I’m so tired right now, your idea of going to bed at 7:00 sounds delicious. I’m going to copy you.
Katie Sis, how fun to go prom dress shopping! That’s sweet of you to go along for the second opinion. Talk about girl time!
March 7th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Yay!! Robin. I would have given into the sweets because, well they are just too sweet. OF course i like salty over sweet but still.
the thing with me is as soon as i eat sugar i start to feel tireder(is that a word). I mean it has to be, um…, a lot. not a lot but more than just like a can of soda or something. THe same thing happens with caffeen. It might wake some people up but it makes me tired.
So the good thing i did for myself today was…
IDK
i don’t know
i can’t think of anyting!!
AHHHHH!!!
March 7th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
AW I’m sorrry your having such a hard time Robin!
But stay strong! 
You can do this!
I finally got eclipse, the audio book version from the library and can now emmerse myslef into the land of Edward! XD I’m super exited! I may even read along with it though, even though she’s a great narrator, she reads it slower then me so I may not be able to stand it….
Then I saw Penelope wich I LOVED! (is a James Mcavoy fan girl freak) He was just sooooo *girlysigh/faint* AMAZING in that movie! SOOOO many close ups! ALso I saw the preview of the second sisterhood of the traveling pants movies! One of my favorite books and movies! ^^ I can’t wait!
Other then that not much! I’ve spent some time with friends, gotten my school done, pretty much had a normal week!
March 8th, 2008 at 5:18 am
I’m with Adrienne. Cameron’s book sounds scary to me. I love sugar. I can’t stand the human-made chemical versions, either. I like good, old-fashioned cane sugar and honey. They’re natural, right? Moderation is the key, and this is certainly difficult for me sometimes, but any excess is not worth me giving it up entirely. Life’s too short and sugar is too delicious! Even so, more power to those of you who are trying to eliminate it. You can do it, Robin! There’s no shame in starting again.
My nice thing happens tonight–an evening with my best friends, cozied up on the couch with great conversation. Can’t wait!
March 8th, 2008 at 5:19 am
Okay, so I was totally rationalizing my sugar addiction there. (:
March 9th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
More of the same, really: worked, read, laughed, cried, danced, sung, talked, discussed, considered, shared, indulged, and rested.
March 9th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
I know what i did good. I started another story. Well actually that isn’t that good becuase i have to many started already.But still…
March 10th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Carli, how weird that caffeine makes you sleepy! You might be able to avoid that particular addiction all your life. Congratulations (but what about Starbucks? They’ll be so sad to lose you!) And good job starting another story! Keep it up!
Dylan, you truly are an Eclipse fan, aren’t you? I know you’ve read the book many, many times, and now to get the audio–wow! And thanks for the review of Penelope. I wasn’t planning on seeing it, but for James McEvoy I surely will.
Kelley, hope you had a lovely time with your best friends. It’s so great that you make time in the midst of all the other demands on your time. And I agree with you about real sugar–so much better than the chemically kind. Can I ever truly give it up? I think I may end up on the moderation team, too.
Little Willow, great list! Sounds like a full and fulfilling week.