Don’t React to Bad Days with Bad Habits!

Last week I was on top of the world! I received a Vocal 'Top Story' award and won a prize for my poetry. I also lost a few pounds from my winter cheese gut and even discovered some cat food that doesn’t give poor Bob the squits! (for American readers, I believe this is known as the Hershey squirts, which sounds even more disgusting!)

But the last few days have been very different. Out of nowhere, I seem to have developed a severe case of writers block (Don't you just love it when that happens!) Even when I manage to get something down, it's so gargantuanly awful that I daren't publish it for fear of having rotten fruit thrown at my face.

If that wasn't bad enough, Bob licked some misplaced Ben and Jerry’s and has now begun unleashing Satan from his butthole again. Poor Bob!

Now, if these calamities had happened a few months ago, I can tell you exactly what my reaction would have been …

After convincing myself nothing good would ever happen again, I would have gone straight to the nearest casino. Then after hours of being in a trance-like state at the slots, I would have bought wine and chocolate to make me feel better about losing (again!)

Later, the alcohol would make me even more depressed and I'd have heartburn from my over indulgence. I'd get pissed off about my calorie intake, start fantasising about the inevitable weight gain, then end up with a raging headache. To top the evening off, Bob would be staring at me in that concerned way cat’s do when they know something is seriously wrong. My cat knows me better than my therapist!

But that was then and this is now ...

My recent writing successes didn’t happen after a full bottle of Claret. Neither did they happen after countless hours staring at a slot machine. They happened because I now sit at my desk, hour after hour, day after day.

Sometimes I’m writing. Sometimes I’m just pulling my hair out trying to think of what to write. But what’s important is that I’m persistent. Because even on my very worst days, I have now realised that persistence is the key to my future success.

So a couple of months back, In order to make sure nothing could get in the way of my writing any more, I decided to make some major changes in my life and ditch some of my bad habits ...

First, I decided to self-exclude myself from all UK Casino’s. This was a tough decision as the slots have been my go to for many years. Yes, I know it's a mugs game but it is something I've always enjoyed. In the first few weeks I swear I was getting physical withdrawals. But now it's been over two months and I honestly don't miss them. Especially the losing part!

Then I made a rule only to drink alcohol on non-writing days and when I’m out with friends; but not more than two drinks, as that could affect my writing the following day. I’m practically tee-total now (because I have no friends!)

I also realised that my eating habits were getting in the way of my writing. This is because bad eating makes you tired, especially sugar. So I set the same rule for my sweet tooth as I did for booze. I’ve lost over half a stone already!

Today, I can honestly tell you that my life has changed for the better. I just seem to be able to write through anything now. It took a few weeks until I saw the benefits, as I was still pining for my old habits. But now I feel like I can take on the world.

So if you’re having a bad day, perhaps think twice before seeking solace in those old habits. Because when you become persistent with what really matters, your life might change for the better.

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Original version published at https://medium.com/never-stop-writing/dont-react-to-bad-writing-days-with-bad-habits-a80b1a5e6c60