Forgive me. Sometimes not being organized is just right.
A few months ago I read
"The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg. Key points came back to me today as I was traveling for work. I am a very habitual traveler. From the amount of time I like to be at the airport: 90 minutes, to my routine after security: bathroom, Starbucks, wait at the gate, bathroom right before boarding. I even realized that on my work trips I take the same flight to arrive at 2pm, drive one hour to the Premium Outlet Mall & power walk around until dark or closing. One key point the book makes is that every habit has a "trigger" that you have learned automatically to respond to. If you are looking to change a habit identifying that trigger is the first place to start. I was having a hard time with making unhealthy food impulse buys. I would ask James if we could eat at McAlister's so I can get a salad but then when the girl asks for my order I'm blurting out "FRENCH DIP!" ... I think it is unfair to say that I've struggled with weight. I lost a lot of weight with Weight Watchers, I just have hit a plateau that I can't seem to get off of. I know it is the impulse food choices. And not being more diligent about working out. I was pondering this on the plane when I was thinking about my travel habits & I was reliving a recent experience - going to Starbucks to get a hot tea & then blurting out "GRANDE DIRTY CHAI" ... Who said that? Ugh. As the book suggested I was re-playing the event in my mind looking for clues. I think I might have stumbled on a big trigger. I think when I have poor posture I make poor decisions. My unintentional Starbucks order came in the struggle of being saddled by bags, rain coat, etc. I realized about a month ago that my once complimented posture was gone. Making an effort to have excellent posture ripples out to the rest of life. I tested out my new trigger on the plane. When the flight attendant was taking drink orders I made a point to sit up straight & say to myself "you are the kind of woman who sits up straight because she takes care of herself" I had a momentary falter in self-discipline when the person in front of me ordered Dr.P. But I LOVE DR. PEPPER! I WANT DR. PEPPER! I HAVE A DRINK TICKET, I WANT A CORONA! IT'S CINCO! I managed to keep that crazy lady inside my head & repeat my little mantra. What do you know, nothing crazy came out of my mouth & I was able to say "Club soda with lime." No regrets on my order. If my brain is so smart why hasn't it learned that I don't regret good food choices? Why does it keep screaming Dr. Pepper at me? I was on a roll. When I landed in Philly I got a drink for the drive (wish I had taken a picture of the label so I could find it again) sparkling water with juice. I power-walked tall around the outlet mall. Because that's what healthy me does. There is a fab salad place in the food court, which is what I had for dinner. I again had to steel myself at the register for not ordering a sugary drink. It's crazy that one tiny thing can have an impact on bigger things. We'll have to see if this works or if this is a fluke for today only. What's the worst that can happen? I stand up straighter?
The great Wen-xperiment has begun.
First time using it my impressions were:
1) It would be nice to only have to buy one product & not get irritated that I can never use shampoo at the same pace as conditioner
2) These directions are crazy! Does this really need to be a 10 step process?
3) Smells nice.
4) After my hair air dried it was very soft, ends a little frizzy, roots looked ok but felt a little gummy
Second time impressions:
1) Ditto
2) OKOK I'll take the step "1-3 minutes of vigorous massage" more seriously
3) I'll use more at the end as a leave-in conditioner
4) After my hair air dried it was still very soft, little less frizzy, roots felt like fresh washed hair! Guess the extra massage did the trick ;)
I guess I am loving it because I defiantly poured out travel shampoo to take Wen with me!
As I ate my lovely salad in my brand new Holiday Inn Express room (I should make a joke but I hate how cheesy their commercials are & then I'd be one of them), I found old Sex & the City reruns on the Style network! I watched the episode where Carrie won't marry Aidan & they breakup. Really made me miss James. He is such a sweetheart. When you live with your best friend it's hard to be away from them for a week! Maybe the shopping without his comments about saving money will make up for it a little ;)
And it's Cinco de Mayo & I'm alone in a hotel room business center. With a salad. Where are the margaritas? Where's the party? How is it almost 9 pm already???? For anyone out there drinking a margarita right now, please drink up for me.
