Breaking the Cycle: Why Letting Go of Vices is Essential for Balanced Creative Life
Everyone has a vice.
A bad habit or something we know deep down we shouldn’t be doing.
For some, it’s alcohol.
For others, it’s smoking.
For me, it was soda.
It makes sense why. Life is hard.
We use vices as distractions. They postpone our stress and anxiety.
The problem is that any vice can become toxic.
It happened to me. It fueled my burnout.
But my life—health, relationships, work, creativity—all drastically improved the moment I let go of it for good.
Here’s what happened.
Six Years. No Soda.
Sometimes the catalyst for big change in our lives is something small and right in front of us.
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It feels like a lifetime ago and yesterday…
…March, 2017.
Burnout hit me like a truck.
I was overweight (and my heaviest ever).
I was unhappy (with neglected relationships).
I was broken (from running myself ragged).
—
Today, I’m not the same person.
It’s all because of the very first step.
I gave up my greatest vice—Soda.
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Soda had been slowly taking its toll on my body and my choices.
How could something so simple be killing me?
• I was always tired.
• I was always waiting for the next drink.
Did soda completely cause my burnout—“No.”
But it was the fuel that burned me out faster.
And the brown, bubbly, sugar liquid had its hooks in me deep.
I regularly stopped on my way home from work for one of those 32oz "Big Gulps.” Back out again a few hours later for another.
I was addicted to Soda.
Full Stop.
I realized the only way to get control back of my life was to stop—not just halfway, but totally and completely.
I needed to let go of something that defined the “old” me.
That's just what I did.
On March 19, 2017—I stopped drinking soda.
I haven’t had a single drop since.
The moment I chose to it from my life, everything changed.
I made better choices.
Positive choices became positive changes.
One day, I was on the other side of burnout—happier and 75lbs lighter.
The Cascading Effect
After I stopped drinking soda, I made a series of other changes one at a time.
Stopped drinking soda
Drank more water
Reduced my calorie-heavy drinks down to almost zero
Started walking every day
Made my lunches for work.
Incorporated (1) green food at each meal
Read more books
Started journaling
Listened more
This positive cascading effect is a phenomenon I experienced almost immediately after I stopped drinking soda.
I felt more confident about the first positive choice and so I made another.
Benefits of Removing a Vice from Your Creative Life
I’ve learned firsthand what any Creative Pro can gain from letting go of a vice. These five are my favorite:
Increased energy and focus — By letting go of a vice, you’ll remove the cloud that the vice hung over your head. It will give you clarity and space to do great things.
More quality time — I didn’t realize it at the time, but my vice was robbing me of time. It was keeping me up and impeding my sleep cycle. When I was awake, I wasn’t myself. I was a zombie most of the time. Without it, I became alert and enjoyed life more.
Greater emotional stability — We use vices as shields to avoid challenge and anxiety. When we remove them, we find new ways to deal with stress. Because I let go of my vice, I had no choice but to address other problems head on.
Improved self-discipline — Letting go of a vice is hard. It takes discipline, especially at first. But once you get through the initial trials, removing a vice reinforces your self-discipline in other areas. You prove to yourself you can be disciplined and apply it to health, relationships, and the like.
Greater sense of control — When you remove a vice from your life, it’s a direct choice that only you can make. When you make that choice to let go, you gain control in return. Your destiny and your life are yours to live.
Final Thoughts
Listen. I’ll be real here.
Letting go of a vice can be rough.
Your mind will rebel against the challenge.
It won’t let you do it easily.
You need to remind yourself of who you’re doing it for…
The You of Tomorrow.
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Do I ever think about having another cool, crisp glass of Root Beer?
Um, abso-f*cking-lutely.
But I'm good.
Letting go of my vice is one of the greatest decisions I ever made in my life.
I feel clearer. I love deeper. I create better.
So I'll keep living my life from the driver's seat.
Vrrrooom. 🚗💨
TL; DR
Everyone has a vice
Vices shield us from stress
Vices can fuel burnout
Letting go of a vice can improve every part of your life
A positive cascading effect can lead other good habits
Quote of the Week
Motivation for the days ahead of you.
“Close some doors today. Not because of pride, incapacity or arrogance, but simply because they lead you nowhere.”
— Paulo Coelho
That's all for now.
Stay creative, my friends—and have a great week!
