Dreams and Compulsive Habits

Gregory Stock, Ph.D. The Book Of Questions prompts — Is there something you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it?

I want to be more creative. Some say writing is art, especially poetry. I said I want to be involved in theatre when I retire. I haven’t done that. Maybe I should say not yet. I continue to work more than I planned. It doesn’t feel like it leaves time for that.

I have written a couple things for kids that I worked with, which includes the culture. That is as close as I’ve gotten. We attempted practice, and the kids kept moving, so it didn’t work where I tried it. They did like it, though. I think it is because art is healing, and that includes all forms of art.

I have dreamt of publishing a book, and the grant I wrote will make that a reality. I have to do that, whether I self-publish or go to a publisher. It will get done.

Gregory Stock, Ph.D. The Book Of Questions prompts — Is it better to have dreams that will never come to pass, or to have no dreams at all? How much better would your life be if the things you dream of doing or having were granted to you?

I think it is okay either way. To live life as it happens day to day. Or to go after those dreams. It is probably my age, however, so I can say that. For my children and grandchildren, I want to encourage them to go for their dreams.

For my husband, he says he is living his dream. He is not working for anyone else. He is busy every day around our place without a boss. I always have a honey-do list, but many of those things are not on his list or he says yes, I know, later.

Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash

Gregory Stock, Ph.D. The Book Of Questions prompts — What are your most compulsive habits? Do you regularly struggle to break these habits?

Right now, I write every day. It has become compulsive as I don’t like to miss. Even if I am not publishing, I am writing. I am enjoying it, though, so it is not a problem or an addiction, as I know what that feels like.

Over the years, I have had compulsive habits; smoking 2–3 packs of cigarettes per day. I quit that in 1978. I stopped smoking marijuana then, too. I stopped drinking alcohol and taking amphetamines in 1980. All compulsive behaviors.

Over the years, I have stopped and started sugar consumption. I have been off again for a year in May, Mother's Day. I have been compulsive about plants. I had 200 at one time, and it took me at least all Saturday morning to water and care for plants, sometimes going into the afternoon.

Now I only have plants that take the toxins out of the air. I care for approximately 10 plants, but not well. I do get them watered. I can get into overworking. Keeping so busy that I don’t have time to think about what may be bothering me. It helps to write as it sometimes shows itself.

I have some habits to make, as the photo above denotes. I am working on decluttering, so I don’t consider cluttering a compulsive habit, but I do have trouble with tossing, giving away, or donating. What if…? is what I hear myself saying.

So, I have started small. I do kitchen zero and have done small projects that I tend to keep up in my kitchen, bathroom, closet, and other living spaces. I have more to do. Lots more.

My husband can be compulsive and even OCD about his exercise routine every day. He will not make any appointments unless he absolutely has to. And that will mean rescheduling time elsewhere, sometimes doing heavy lifting in the morning and evening on some days close to the event.

He says he is organized. Sometimes I think that is why I am with him. In order to be more organized. It does make a difference. I have a choice, though. He would like my car to be neater, especially when he is driving. I say, I am in it so much that there is just so much I need to have in it.

His dreams probably have to do with my keeping a cleaner car. Or maybe he would like a new pickup, even though he says he doesn’t, as long as my car can pull a camper. Enough about hubby. I think I covered my stuff. I’m sure there is more but for now, this is enough!