Tag: Decision-point

You have options: politely decline, have a small piece, or have a regular piece. None of these is inherently right or wrong—but the choice should be yours, made consciously, not defaulted into by social pressure. Consider: Do you actually want cake? Would having it add value to this moment? Can you have some without it triggering more? The skill is making a real decision, not being swept along by the situation. This companion explores the social pressure reality, a decision framework, the options available, what long-game players consider, and the identity frame. (4 min read)

Movie theaters are environments optimized to sell popcorn—pervasive scent, social normality, dark distracted eating, ridiculous sizing. The “small” is often 10+ cups. This companion explores the movie theater trap, the decision framework (do you actually want this or is it just habit?), what to do if you choose not to buy (nothing is fine—you’ll survive two hours), and how to make it deliberate if you do buy: smallest size, share it, skip the butter, stop when it’s gone. (4 min read)

The 10 p.m. pull is almost never physical hunger—you ate dinner, your body has fuel. What’s happening is habit, boredom, tiredness masquerading as hunger, stress seeking an outlet, or simply unstructured time. The first step is identifying which one; the second is responding to the actual need. This companion explores why evenings are vulnerable (willpower depletion, habit loops, fatigue signals), a diagnostic for the moment, and the “kitchen is closed” strategy for removing the decision entirely. (3 min read)

The 3pm urge isn’t about food—it’s about stimulation. Boredom is an aversive state, and eating is a reliable way to make it stop temporarily. Research shows boredom triggers more non-hungry eating than anxiety or sadness, and bored people specifically gravitate toward unhealthy snacks for the excitement, not nutrition. This companion explores why boredom drives eating, the afternoon vulnerability (circadian dip, decision fatigue, habit loops), what to do instead of eating, and the diagnostic question that separates hunger from situational craving. (3 min read)