Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

  • Don’t Miss Anything
  • Start Here
  • Essentials Shop
  • Latest Deals
  • Style Scenarios
  • Reviews
  • Forum

How a simple mindfulness trick helped me slim down, stop overdrinking, and fit into my clothes better

October 15, 2019 By Joe | Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

Wanting does not always = Liking

You can want things you don’t like. You can want to do things you don’t enjoy. You can want to be around someone you can’t stand. And you can want to eat something that doesn’t even taste that good, and will leave you feeling like crap.

When I first grasped this idea, it blew my mind.

The difference, my dudes, is in the brain chemicals. Dopamine is often misunderstood as a “happy” chemical. That’s not quite true. It can be a precursor to happiness, but it’s actually the desire chemical. The wanting chemical. And it’s incredibly powerful. Powerful enough that we can be trained by others, or, by our own subconscious to want things we don’t like. Like eating tons of candy. Or gambling. Or constantly checking social media. Or SHOPPING (*gasps*). All perhaps things we never actually really enjoy in the moment, and even worse, leave us feeling like crap afterwards.

For me it was booze. As you can see at the top left of this post, it started to have it’s effect by late 2018. I was starting to get… fluffy. Despite being a workout warrior I couldn’t out run or out lift those dead, drinkable calories, which were often piggybacked by pizza deliveries to the front door. Being that alcohol is an addictive chemical like nicotine, I was having a hard time kicking it.

Until I realized that I didn’t like it anymore. Maybe I never liked it to begin with, but that was sunk cost. So, I stopped looking backwards, and started looking forwards.

Now I look like this:

Dappered.com

The proof is in the pudding fellas. And thanks to simply questioning my automatic, lizard-brain behavior every once in a while (about booze, junk food, etc.) I have a lot less pudding around my midsection.

Also, I feel a lot better.

I know this post doesn’t have a ton to do with clothes. And perhaps you think it’s total nonsense. But clothes are a means to an end. And I hope that the next time you assume you like something that’s not doing you any good and you don’t actually enjoy, you stop and at least ask yourself if you do, truly, like the thing that you’re doing. And if the answer is no, then don’t feel so bad about not giving into that desire. Because you’re not missing out on anything of value anyway.

That’s all.

Carry on.

For those of you who want to take a gander at a few of the resources that helped me change my mindset on wanting vs. liking, check out: The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, This Naked Mind by Annie Grace, the Headspace Meditation App and the “Cravings” pack specifically, and the Art of Manliness Post: Unlocking the Science of Habits.

Filed Under: Clothing, Etc., Featured Tagged With: shouting into the void

Continue the Conversation …

Want to share your thoughts on this article? Send us a tweet, join the discussion on Facebook, or start a discussion on Dappered Threads, our forum!

Don’t Miss Anything

Subscribe via email to get articles in your inbox or add Dappered on Flipboard. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or subscribe to push notifications to get alerts immediately.

New Here?

Well, welcome to Dappered. Here are what we consider the most useful posts on the site if you're looking to put a little more effort into your appearance. Just want to see our favorite menswear products? Shop our essentials here.

Steal Alert: J. Crew Extra 50% off Sale Styles + Stock Refresh

Steal Alert: J. Crew Extra 50% off Sale Styles + Stock Refresh

Coats. Boots. Sweaters. Final sale though.

The Weekend Reset: TE Lawrence, Minimalism, and Snow

The Weekend Reset: TE Lawrence, Minimalism, and Snow

Plus: Soup!

Spier Shoes Sale, Half off Core Temp Chinos, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful

Spier Shoes Sale, Half off Core Temp Chinos, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful

Plus a rare deal on a USA made backpack with a cult following.

Follow Dappered on Instagram »

Men’s Fashion or Affordable Style?

Men's Fashion or Affordable Style?

Fashion is temporary and expensive. Style is timeless and affordable. Dappered® helps you work the retail system so that you can be comfortable, look sharp, and save money.

Want to share a great product? Email Us.
Continue the discussion at Dappered Threads.
For a fit perspective, see Joe's measurements.
Make sure to read our affiliate disclosure.

Connect with Dappered

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Most Popular on Dappered

  • 10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – Tech Joggers, New Sunglasses, Better(?) Silicone Rings, & More
  • Spier Shoes Sale, Half off Core Temp Chinos, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful
  • Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – BR makes an Athletic Tapered Traveler Jean, AE Factory 2nds, & More
  • 10 Skills to Master for a truly Stylish Home
  • Sunday Steal Alert: J. Crew 50% off Select New Arrivals / 40% off most everything else
  • Steal Alert? DSW 30% off Boots (including Wolverine 1000 milers $140 – $175?)

Popular Topics

  • Best dress shirts to own
  • Best looking watches under $100
  • Best men’s dress shoes under $200
  • Nike Killshot sneaker alternatives
  • How to wear a suit without a tie
  • Suitsupply store review
  • Suitsupply Blue Line review
  • J. Crew Factory Thompson suit review
  • How much does it cost to tailor a suit?
  • Dopp kit essentials
  • Brown shoes with gray pants
  • Men’s style buying guide

RSS Latest on Dappered Threads

  • Altering Boardshorts?
  • Crown & Caliber sold to Hodinkee
  • J. Crew Court Classic Sneakers
  • BR athletic tapered?
  • Navy Blue Overcoat with Blue Trousers?

Copyright © 2021 Dappered.com | Dappered, LLC | Dappered® is a registered trademark of Dappered, LLC

Hat tip: Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework

Dappered does not collect or sell its users personal information | Disclosures: Privacy and Affiliates, Gilt.com, FTC

WPE

We work with partners that use cookies to understand how visitors use our site. Find out more.