You are addicted to problems
Missed last week? — Catch up on the archive here
On a vibe of keeping it real with you…
I’ve struggled with being hooked on nicotine most of my life.
I’ve quit five different times.
Chewing tobacco in high school. Then vaping Juuls (because I’m a millennial cliché). Then gum, then those little Zyn pouches that make you look like you’re constantly eating Tic Tacs.
It’s funny how your brain tricks you into thinking you’re being smart about your addiction.
“Huberman had a video claiming nicotine was neuro-protective, so it’s healthy, right?”
Classic.
Well, I’m 60 days clean now, and my brain finally isn’t swimming in fog. So I’ve been asking myself the uncomfortable question:
“why the hell do I keep going back to this stupid habit?”
Lots of reasons. But the main one hit me like a truck:
I was addicted to having a problem to fix.
The irony of self-improvement is that the more things you improve, the fewer things you have left to improve on.
So you start manufacturing problems just so you can feel like you’re “working on yourself.”
It’s like a toxic relationship hooked on fighting, just for the euphoria of making up.
You treat the relationship you have with yourself the same way.
You invent chaos just so you can swoop in and “save” yourself.
Play the hero in your own story.
It feels productive… but it’s just a loop.
You put yourself on an emotional rollercoaster.
…and you buy the ticket.
The recognition itself changes everything. Just seeing this pattern shifts something.
You probably have your own version of this. Your own manufactured problem that keeps you busy but not growing.
Ask yourself:
“What problems am I creating that don’t need to be here?”
Notice when you’re doing it.
Because once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
And once you can’t unsee it, you can step off the ride.
Life doesn’t need to feel like a project to be worth living.
LIFE UPDATES
What I’m Reading
Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke.
Rereading this one for my next Book Breakdowns video. Easily my favorite book I read in 2023. It’ll make you rethink habits, motivation, and why chasing goals feels so addictive.
What I’m Listening To
I Get Wet by Andrew W.K.
One of the greatest records of the 2000s. The party never dies 🤘
Monday’s Video
Back by popular demand: Part 3 in our series, How to Get More Done in 1 Week Than Most Do in 1 Year. Drops Monday.
See you next Saturday,
CK
