Pull the reins on your indulgences

Many of us have weaknesses and special treats we like to indulge in. They may range from food, to cloths, our children and other aspects of our existence. Once we set the ball rolling, we do not know when to pull the reins. It is an act we are all guilty of participating in at […]

Many of us have weaknesses and special treats we like to indulge in. They may range from food, to cloths, our children and other aspects of our existence. Once we set the ball rolling, we do not know when to pull the reins. It is an act we are all guilty of participating in at one point or the other in our life.

After these bouts of indulgences, we begin to question what devil pushed us to do them; and the next feeling is of how to make us feel better about our actions. In cases of over eating, we want remedies to help us to decongest our overstuffed stomachs.

At the beginning of the year many like Ndidi Onyema, resolved to curb these excesses. “My indulgences are not really with me, but with my children. I decided that beginning this year; I will cut down on a lot of things I ordinarily would let them get away with. I decided on this, because I realised that some of the things I allow them to do, they take them for granted, because they are   making them unruly and a little laid back. I have to nip such in the bud early before it gets out of control for me.

“I usually let them watch television in the afternoon after they have done their homework. I realised that they don’t pay attention when doing their assignments, because they are rushing to finish up to go and watch cartoon. Also, when they have had their lunch, they don’t bother to clean up themselves. So, we sat together in January and redefined the rules. For everyone they fail, there is a repercussion. So far, they are doing well. I pray they carry it on.”

It was interesting to see a young man with two wheelbarrows full of food stuffs of a large variety. When approached, Mr. Bashir Ahmed humourously said, “I am tired of dashing fast-food joints my money. This year he said his resolution is to cut down, drastically, the number of times he eats out.

“I am so pleased with the way some of the fast-food chains cook, that now it is the order of the day for me. I cook myself, but have become used to the habit of going out to eat. It pinched my pockets very deep last year. This year I have decided that I will not indulge myself in such any more, except where it is absolutely necessary. To help me achieve my goal, I have decided that I will shop once a month. I will clean and freeze food items that are freezable.

“I have been reading up ways to do so and been quit thrilled with the discoveries I have made. My vegetables and fruits I will buy fresh. My fridge and freezer will be colourful from now on.”

Shopping is Nana Kabir’s one big overindulgent act. “I tried before to stick to my shopping list anytime I go out to buy things. But I never manage to achieve this. My shopping ends up being impulsive and a lot of times I don’t manage to buy the things I originally set out to; and many a time, I have bought things that I later realise I have no need for. I end of giving them away or stow them away. This year I resolved to clear out all the extra junk and have actually started clearing them up.

Now, when I go shopping I stick to the basics of the items I need. To further to help me out I have increased the margin of my monthly savings, with my disposal income on the decline, I spend less on frivolous shopping.”

It is important for us to check ourselves regularly so we know when and how to curb our overindulgent acts permanently. Like these three have stated, it was not an easy road, but they have drawn up ways which work for them. We too can adopt these measures.