Posted: 9/9/2014 | Wellness	Comments
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“Life is very interesting... in the end, some of your greatest pains, become your greatest strengths.”
- Drew Barrymore

When we think of addictions, most of us think about substances the likes of cocaine, heroin, and alcohol. Those are hard addictions. But many of us haven’t thought much about those behaviors or soft addictions that can create difficulties and distract us from our greatness.

Soft addictions would be behaviors such as internet surfing, gaming, TV, reading, shopping, overworking, complaining, gossiping, procrastinating, and others that we overdo. 

We all engage in soft addictions to varying degrees and most of these activities in moderation are fine, some of them are even positive. In my blog about exercise addiction, we talked about how something that is great for us on one hand, done in a compulsive or extreme manner can be destructive. 

The driving force behind all addictions, even soft addictions, is the quest to numb out, ignore, escape, or suppress difficult feelings and thoughts. We then use these activities compulsively and repetitively to distract ourselves or avoid our conscious or unconscious feelings and thoughts. This can bring about a feeling of being high, a release of endorphins, and a temporary escape from the inner pain.

At some point, however, this behavior makes life more difficult, restricting and consuming, damaging and compromising various aspects of your life. This includes work, relationships, and your own well-being, as well as other activities and life affirming pleasures. These addictions cost us money and time, numb us from our inner life, and shut down our consciousness. They keep us from living life to its fullness.

The most helpful thing you can do if you’re struggling with any addiction is to know your inner life--to be aware of and be with your feelings and thoughts. For some it can be quite frightening to get a glimpse of the unknown inner life with all the messiness of feelings and thoughts.

It helps to deepen your understanding of the underlying feelings and thoughts that lead to addiction. Identifying and working with the personal programming that keeps these behaviors in place is a great step forward. 

There are many resources to support you in your journey. Coaching, psychotherapy, 12 step programs, mindfulness meditation, energy healing, and great self-help books all give you tools on your path. 

You’ll find many helpful exercises and meditations to use with soft addictions in my book Your Ultimate Life Plan.

For further information on accessing the wisdom, happiness, fulfillment, and peace you desire, click here to learn about Dr. Howard's Multiple Award Winning Book "Your Ultimate Life Plan: How to Deeply Transform Your Everyday Experience and Create Changes That Last.

photo credit Imagery Majestic via FreeDigitalPhotos.net