Conserve willpower by reframing to avoid ego fatigue

Some really interesting quotes from Biology of Desire by Marc Lewis:

The idea of self control being compared to riding an animal is not new, but there is the possibility of having a relationship with the beast - which is just a part of ourselves anyway. (so no, not in the sense of being a strongman) We might think in terms of a horse whisperer. It's about being intelligent and at the same time tuned in to our instincts to deal with them.

BTW, it seems the increase in the brain areas devoted to emotional meaning would likely contribute to the epic failure syndrome that many experiences after relapsing. After all, your ego is probably pretty tired at that point.

 

Some more interesting quotes from this book:

*instant gratification

 

May be too subtle a point or too easy to overlook but humor is a reframe, basically. There's also an element of seeing through to the truth because a joke starts out being about one thing and when you get to the punchline it ends up being about something else.

And of course what do they say in connection with humor: Don't take your SELF to seriously. Self of course relates to ego, and this talks about ego depletion/exhaustion..

 

Of course for some they may have a lot of psychological stuff and it may have to be titrated and gradually explored basically, but I think this may be completely ignored by old school recovery people. In general it seems there is a current of anti intellectualism, which isn't to say anyone has to look at very technical information, but the bias and disposition that is kind of against reason frankly is concerning. It's almost like any reason that doesn't fit the one framework that has been adopted cannot even be seen, as if literally it isn't there. If it is about a rigid routine then it looks rather like addiction itself.

I will say though, what they do have is some roots and a network, but I'm afraid that may be seriously undermined with the pandemic. On the one side I think people are mistaken to think they can just replace it with online meetings, on the other if they think only in the same old "it's worked for me/us" template and literally cannot think any differently it just won't connect with people in the modern world nor show they understand the challenges we have. All the same I am keen on supporting them, hopefully just by renting a space for an independent meeting esp. since they also have to pay rent but with the current attitudes and overall state of affairs I'm afraid it'll be fading away, maybe a few individuals who are fairly well to do may prop up the few clubs but I don't know how long that can last. I respect people who are making that effort but in the context of this subject it may be a long term act of will that may simply not have enough support.