Author Topic: I'll Do "X" When "Y" Happens  (Read 1029 times)

gratitude28

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I'll Do "X" When "Y" Happens
« on: July 25, 2008, 08:01:56 AM »
My family has a bad habit of not doing what we want to do until some other huge thing happens. I am working hard on overcoming this now (and have to a large degree). For example, we'll go to the beach when we lose (an impossible amount of weight) and look great in our suits. For my parents, they are unhappy where they are, but won't think of trying to sell until the house is in perfect shape and clean (never going to happen). I think it is mostly my dad, really, who is like this. He always has some huge hoop to get through before he can do what he really wants. Maybe it's a way to not get what he wants, and therefore be able to continue being unhappy? I used to think I would bike when I lost weight (I am doing it now, enjoying it and losing weight because of it). I have so many things like this in my life. A lot of them do have to do with weight, as my dad is also heavy.
Does anyone relate to this???
Love, Beth
"There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable." Douglas Adams

LilyCat

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Re: I'll Do "X" When "Y" Happens
« Reply #1 on: July 25, 2008, 09:36:53 AM »
Hi Beth,

I think this is a very common thing that people do. I'm trying to remember what my therapist has said about it, and I can't at the moment ... but I'll try to get my memory going.

I think sometimes it has to do with perfectionism. Perhaps also it's an inability to feel entitled to something, I'm not sure. That would be my guess.

In any case, what you describe is essentially putting off life -- living -- so it must have something to do with that.

??? I'll keep thinking on this. I know I've encountered it a lot in books & articles. And yes, I have done my share of it. I think it might be a particular tendency for people with weight issues -- for a lot of reasons.

LC

Lupita

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Re: I'll Do "X" When "Y" Happens
« Reply #2 on: July 25, 2008, 12:23:40 PM »
HI Beth, very similar with my family.

My sister go to restaurants and says that she is in a diet and orders a salad. When we got home, she ate many things, she is overweight too. I have not seen her in 12 years.
She always does the opposite of what it is expected. Same with my mother.

It is difficult.