There definitely can be “too much of a good thing.”
I struggle with moderation, I’ll be totally honest about that. I want to do it all, all out. I’m fine with not drinking at all, but if I have one margarita, I want four. I’m fine not touching chocolate, but once it passes my lips, I might eat the whole Easter basket that mommy and daddy the Easter bunny brought me (for the first time in about ten years!) Check out how creepy the M&M chocolate bunny looks.
If I meet a cute guy I like, I want to see him all the time, not adopt that “I have a million better things to do than hang out with you but I guess I’ll acquiesce” ‘tude that modern dating portends to necessitate. I get a smartphone and after shamlessly declaring for years that I would never be one of THOSE people always on their phones… I’m now one of those people.
I train for a marathon and before it even happens and I see if I can handle it, I sign up for another one. I freak out about money and don’t buy anything for days and then blow $50 on dinner and drinks.
Please forgive my horrible photos, it won’t happen again. Yes it will. My bad.
Or I go to Whole Foods and get what I think is “just a little bit” of Indian food from the hot bar, not even filling this box that’s the size of my hand, and end up having to pay $12.53.
I have a moderation problem.
But the hardest thing for me to control myself around is social plans.
I’m new in San Francisco still and there are so many things to do. But with my occasionally demanding work schedule, 7am conference calls for the last two weeks, and wrapping up training, I’ve been tired… but completely unable to say no to socializing or going out and even initiating plans myself. Last week was the worst when I had about two plans for every single day. One night when I met a friend at happy hour, then went to dinner with another friend, and then met up with two other friends after THAT, I realized this needed to stop. Hi, I am Courtney and I am a social-holic.
Enter Marathon Detox Week.
This week, Sunday–Friday, I am not making ANY plans (!). I am going right home after work. I am going to bed by 10 and getting eight hours if it’s the last thing I do.
I’m bringing my lunch and choosing healthy food. While excessively carbo-loading, of course. 
I’m trading this…
For this.
I had some drinks last Friday but that’s really it for the last two weeks. I’ve got food in my apartment FOR ONCE and a bunch of beer, beckoning me, for ATM (that would be After The Marathon). Back off, Blue Moon.
It feels really good to prioritize ME.
I have “stayed in” the last three nights and it has been funny to stress out about SLEEP, and I already am not sleeping well–I’m so scared about the race and have been dreaming about work stuff as well–but at least I’m in bed at a certain time, and that is what matters. It’s all going to work out. I even bought a new alarm clock app on my iPhone, so that means business.
I have time to do things like stick fake flowers in a wine bottle and call it decorating, or two watch mindless episodes of Sex and the City and not feel guilty about it.
It already makes me realize that I NEED to schedule at least two worknight evenings IN. Schedule time in? I have heard about this before and scoffed, but NO. This is really important. I was filling my life too much with fun so much that I was forgetting how to have it.
I’m going to enjoy these last few quieter nights, try to calm the pre-race jitters, and enjoy doing absolutely nothing.
Have you ever needed a social detox? How do you make time for you?
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Whoooa…. I had this same conversation last night (welll, if you can call a bunch of Twitter DMs back and forth a conversation). So glad that you have the ability to be self-aware, understand your needs, and adjust accordingly. Miss you!
Taking a couple of nights just to yourself each week is a fantastic idea. Those kinds of nights are some of my favorites – the recharging is just so important. Even more so with that marathon coming! I’m sure that by following your detox plan, you will be good and ready to rock that marathon!
Random aside – I have been saving up all of my empty wine bottles (there are a lot), because I want to decorate with them somehow. Also, now that I’ve made it into one of your blog’s pictures, I feel like I’ve truly made it in the world.
I basically went on a forced social detox when marathon training – it just takes up SO MUCH TIME! I didn’t drink for a month leading up to my marathon and I definitely did a bit of a social detox the last 2 weeks leading up to it so I think this is a very good plan for you. Rest is super important during taper!
Huh. I never put a name to it before, but I totally have a moderation problem! I’m definitely an “all or nothing” kind of person. So yeah, I can definitely relate to this.
Sounds like you’re super busy, I think a social detox is a good idea! Can’t to hear about your marathon!!
That chocolate bunny does look really really creepy haha! Good goals for a social detox, too. It’s great to spend time with friends..but we definitely need time for ourselves!!
I think it’s a great idea to schedule life IN. I need days all the time for just me. It helps keep me from going postal on people I love.
I have trouble too- I think it stems from being shy and having trouble making friends when I was in elementary school. I have a great group of friends, but in the back of my mind I’m always worried if I decline an invite I’ll end up all alone. Plus, I’m young, I’m financially secure- I want to have FUN before I’m at the point where I have to call a sitter and worry about getting up for feedings!
Damn the Easter candy. Damn it all.
I am the exact same way. I can’t do moderation. I don’t really have any helpful advice, unfortunately.
Totally relate! I am an “all” person all of the time! Moderation? I have no idea what this word means!
i’m totally not about moderation either…except for social things. with a type of food, i eat it nonstop til i’m sick of it. same thing with books or blogs or whatnot. but with social things, i have a low tolerance so i can’t really give you any advice except to figure out what you like to do on your own and provide the space for yourself to do that.
I’m glad your social detox is going well so far! I know it can be really easy to want to do it all and tough to break out of that trap. I guess what helps for me is that I get so crazy anxious when it comes to races that I stop really enjoying going out. I’d much rather be home sleeping early or resting in the week leading up to a big race. I think having that relaxed routine helps calm some of my anxiety. Rest up this week! Enjoy the rest of your time IN! I can’t wait to hear how the marathon goes!!
I don’t know if I really need social detox but food detox -after having all this Easter candy around -I do need!