Chocolate and Mindfulness – a topic that has me learning lessons about myself

Hello Aversion and Attachment,

I learned more about myself this week in my mindfulness class.

It would appear I have an addiction for chocolate.  Yeap – one that will not be going away.

As many of you know, I have been gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free for over a year now.  BUT I do eat chocolate.  I periodically go a couple of weeks without it and then I buy a raw chocolate bar from GiddyYoyo or Chocosol (usually a hot pepper version) and I slowly enjoy it for weeks.  As I studied for a few very hard exams at school, I found myself needing chocolate to help with the studying and to keep my mind crisp to write the exam.  It helped – I did very well.  Well once you start the chocolate habit, it is hard to stop unless you really want to or have to.

Last week in my mindfulness class, we had to give something up from a couple of categories to become more aware of our habits and attachments.

The food list was actually limited for me as I already made a choice a year ago on most of the list.  My friend chocolate was on the list and saying “not me, not me”.  So I gave it some thought and said “I will give chocolate up for the week”.  I also did the no listening to the radio in the car, no watching TV and reduced my computer time and social media time (which is why no post appeared last week).

So what did I learn from this:

Food – my chocolate habit

• I have a thing for chocolate.  I literally counted the days to Thursday night so I could have chocolate on Friday (which I did by noon – but only one square).
• I realized that the more I focused on not having it, the more I wanted it.
• I realized the because I was told to give it up, it was way harder than when I tell myself I won’t have a food because it makes me feel like crap.
• I slept way better all week – really great deep sleeps.
• I ate more whole fruit including raspberries and enjoyed it.
• I became aware that when I used chocolate to assist with studying I was then wired for days after and then wanted chocolate again – a cycle that I need to manage.
• I need to be aware of how I help clients in the future so they come to the decision of what they will give up to feel better so they are engaged in the process and the outcome.

Lifestyle habits

• Quiet in the car allowed for greater thoughts.  My mind was free to think and process ideas.
• No TV meant more time for sleep, friends, classes and homework.
• Reduced computer time – well that was difficult as I was migrating this site from wordpress.com to wordpress.org and what I thought would be an easy process meant I was learning lots of new things about WordPress.  So I was glad that I lifted the pressure off myself to do social and blogging.  But I am happy to get back on the blogging wagon.
• Less social media – I became aware of the pull it had on me.  By limiting my social, I felt less stress as I did not follow and read everything that was going on.
• More time in my schedule meant I spent time organizing my home and areas of my life that needed my attention.

When you are present, the path becomes clearer

So why would a mindfulness class have you give up food or make lifestyle changes for a week?  Well, being aware of your habits brings awareness and creates mindfulness when do them.

It was a great lesson for me on many levels.

And so my chocolate addiction continues.  Now I will be aware of it and enjoy every square of chocolate with the view to mindfulness and being present while I enjoy it.  I am attached to my chocolate.  And I am OK with that.

May your weekend bring awareness to a habit or routine that you currently do on autopilot.

To chocolate and mindfulness,

Jo-Ann Blondin, your 9CupChallenge partner