This is the blessing and the curse of awareness: once we know what’s going on inside of us when we’re reaching for a quick fix (and have learned how to clear the emotional energy that’s driving the desire to reach for it), the hit of our “unhealthy” behavior often begins to pack less of a punch. We may eventually find ourselves at a cross roads wondering: why continue to eat this sugar, smoke this cigarette, or work this late, when I could instead just feel my feelings?

Now, I know it’s not always this easy and that many of us go to great lengths just to not feel. And when we add in fixes that also carry a physiological dependence to chemicals, there’s a whole other thing happening in the brain that sometimes requires extra support. But, the good news is, no matter who you are or what your go-to quick fix is, it is 100% possible to learn how to feel your feelings, change your behavior, AND feel better – once you have the tools to do so.

Today, are you willing to begin building some judgement-free awareness around what’s going on inside of you when you’re feeling compelled to do whatever thing it is you do to avoid your feelings? Can you begin to build some curiosity around your quick fixes? What would it be like to pause before you indulge, check in with your body, and breathe into and release whatever sensations you might be experiencing?

As you continue to get curious about how you operate, remind yourself that we are all doing the best we can. We all have ways in which we avoid our feelings, and these ways have served a purpose – our quick fixes have done a great job in helping us to not feel some really uncomfortable stuff! Instead of feeling shame or judgment, celebrate your ability that at any given moment, you are always doing the best you can to take care of yourself.

If you’re finding yourself in a space of readiness to shift into a more conscious way of being, know that bringing in curiosity, awareness, and the ability to move emotions through the body, will eventually override the desire to reach for the quick fixes that just aren’t cutting it anymore.