THE SOCIAL PUSH

*Disclaimer- I wrote this 2 years ago and thought id share it now.  

Food has always played a vital role in Life's rituals. The breaking of the bread, the last meal of the condemned man, and now, this meal.

-       -The Rocky horror picture show

When did it become normal be be fat, lazy and unhappy?

Why is this the social norm of this century, and if you turn up to work with a smile on your face something must be wrong with you.

Then it seemed suddenly things started to happen. I got a promotion to manager at work, I got engaged. Things were arising, and I got busy. Stress became a major factor in my life. I was so focused on my work and s focused on planning my wedding, my diet and healthy lifestyle suddenly sat on the side lines. Meals became quicker and easier again. Fast food started to be consumed a couple times a week because it was more ‘convenient’ for me. A lot of coffee and not enough sleep and this was some how normal. When I would talk to friends or colleges about it the issue would just be brushed off and the statement ‘ oh well, that’s life” was used a lot. But was it? Is that really how our sociality is choosing to live, miserably and unhealthy just so we can make an extra buck. So that’s how I become living again, unaware of the major affects this lifestyle had on my body. My eating disorder had gone but did that really mean this way of living was any saver?

My mind was blurred and all that I had leant over that past years suddenly disappeared.

Soft drinks entered our house again and I would drink it without a thought just because it was there. I started to skip breakfast because I never had time in the mornings to eat before work and I wouldn’t get to eat any thing until about 10:30-11am, Which would most likely be a coffee or energy drink, a piece of banana bread or maybe fruit. Then in the afternoon I would be so hungry I would eat to much. But this is what everyone was doing, I seemed to have been swept up in the current once again but this time is wasn’t in the vanity current, to be so stick thin and beautiful, it was the career current, to be successful and have money. Just to use that money on mortgage or to own a nice toaster. I was deep in the ocean and I was drowning.

So the weight started piling on, but not only that I became lethargic, depressed, antisocial., my skin started to break out. All these symptoms started to emerge but yet I didn’t connect the dots to why these were happening despite I knew the answer already. I put it down to stress.

So I tried to ignore the stress, maybe lying down all the time or sitting down to milk and cookies or cake might ‘comfort me’ and relax me so I can start feeling better right? Isn’t it what we all do?

Sugar became part of my everyday. I used to take my coffee black, now it was white with two lumps. Everyday I would be more and more brainwashed into thinking this was the way to live. Watching everyone else consume these foods all day everyday, hearing them talk about how tired and unhappy they were but hey that life they would say.  And I followed.

Everyday I would observe mindless consumer enter this supermarket, pilling trolley full of ‘food’ full of bad carbs, bad fats, sugar, artificial colour and flavour to make these products look and taste appealing but with no nutritional value.

I’m talking bulk mass produced white bread, cakes, sweets, lollies, chocolate, chips, biscuits and soft drinks. Most of all soft drinks.

And then the food they would buy for there children’s lunches included tiny teddy’s, sugar full bars, processed cheese, chocolate spreads. I mean did these people really not have a clue at all?

Its like we truly know these things in our mind but we just ignore the facts and just follow like sheep.

The one thing all these people had in common is that they were overweight.  Or at least unhealthy looking. Bad skin, yellow rotting teeth, bad BO.

Most of the time I would just ignore it or think that just the way the people look. But is it? Of course not. We were not put on this earth to abuse and turn our bodies ugly.

But in this period of my life everything came down to money. Its like my whole way of thinking had shifted and nothing else mattered but being rich and successful and BETTER then other people. So naturally I put there looks or lack there of down to money.  

They are poor I would think. They don’t have any cash to buy nice face creams or make up or exercise machines so of course they look bad.

I had to keep working and I thought, so I had enough money I would never end up looking like them, but unknown to me I was already on my way to destruction. 

Work, work, work ,work work, all I did was work and worry. I would come home crying everyday.

I knew I had to make a change so I quite my management position. It wasn’t worth the pain I was going through every single day. I wasn’t passionate about this job, it wasn’t in my heart. People thought I was crazy they say, I was losing money, which they were basically saying-  it doesn’t matter if your miserable and wanted to kill yourself everyday and had no free time at least you had money. 

I now know how screwed up our new generation minds are becoming and how are priorities are so messed up.

You know what the funny thing is? Now that I’ m part time, it seems I’m so much better off then all these other workers and managers. I have an amazing husband, great friends, enough money. We vacation two- three times a ear overseas at 5 star resorts. Iv travelled the world. Own a home. I’m happy and yet people still think that I’m strange for wanting my own life and not fitting into there miserably sardine cane. 

Its up to yourself how to live you life. So I say take control and do what you want to do and what feels right in your heart.