The holidays barely have time to breathe before they’re replaced—nearly stomped out—as retailers race toward the next sale. One celebration blends into the next until you’re not quite sure what season you’re in anymore. You didn’t imagine it. But one thing is certain, they play on your addictions.
Addictions occur also in your business, career, and personal life. It's time to let them go, too.
Just last week, Valentine’s Day was already in the air at the grocery store. Small heart-shaped balloons on sticks seemed to have minds of their own, tumbling off carefully arranged displays on a windy day.
Here in Louisiana, we don’t get much of a pause either. Mardi Gras is always waiting in the wings. Purple, green, gold—beads, doubloons, T-shirts, hats—brighter, louder, and more creative each year.
Retailers don’t give us time to rest. They move straight from hearts and balloons to candy in every shape and size, all carefully placed to tempt us at eye level.
As I passed those displays, the candy made me reflect on my long love affair with chocolate silver bell kisses. I used to put a bag in the refrigerator and wait until they hardened just enough. Then I’d pop them into my mouth—one, two, maybe three.
They were delicious. And they were addictive.
Just as tempting were M&M’s—plain or peanut.
I can’t count how many times I told my better half to ignore me if I ever asked for a bag again.
But inevitably, when we stopped for gas, I’d plead with him to bring me one. Or two.
So much for my breakup.
I suppose he felt sorry for me trying to go cold turkey on one of my favorite chocolates—and I was grateful when he conveniently forgot my earlier declaration.
Eventually, though, I let all sweets go. Potato chips too. I decided I wanted to become healthier.
It wasn’t easy, but I knew I had to cut ties.
And that’s what we have to do in our business, career, and personal life. We all have addictions—patterns, habits, comforts—that feel familiar and soothing, but quietly hold us back.
Easier said than done. I know. I’ve been down this road before.
First, it was the cigarettes.
Then black coffee.
Then wine and beer—in essence, all alcohol.
We don’t always let go on the first attempt. Sometimes it takes a few breakups before the separation sticks.
But the first step is understanding what addictions really look like, especially the ones we don’t label as such.
What Addictions Looks Like in Everyday Life
In Your Business
- Constantly tweaking instead of launching.
- Over-consuming courses instead of implementing.
- Checking stats, likes, or sales obsessively.
In Your Career
- Staying in a role that no longer fits out of fear.
- Overworking to prove worth.
- Seeking constant approval from supervisors or peers.
In Your Personal Life
- Emotional eating or late-night snacking.
- Doom-scrolling or screen dependency.
- Avoidance habits disguised as “self-care”.
Everyday Examples We Often Overlook
In Your Business
- Buying another planner instead of using the one you have.
- Saying yes to every opportunity—even misaligned ones.
In Your Career
- Saying “I’ll wait one more year” repeatedly.
- Tying identity solely to job titles or income.
In Your Personal Life
- Using food, shopping, or wine to cope with stress.
- Holding onto routines simply because they’re familiar.
Not all addictions are loud. Many are quiet, socially acceptable, and applauded — until they drain us.
10 Strategies to Break Up—Once and for All
- Name it honestly—without shame.
- Track the trigger—not just the behavior.
- Replace—don’t just remove.
- Set clear boundaries—time, money, access.
- Go slow if needed—cold turkey isn’t for everyone.
- Create friction—make the habit harder to access.
- Tell one trusted person—accountability matters.
- Expect relapse—and plan for it.
- Tie change to identity—not willpower.
- Celebrate small separations—not just final ones.
Breaking up with an addiction isn’t about punishment—it’s about choosing alignment over comfort. Here are a few resources to help guide you: James Clear's bestselling The Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones and its workbook, Planner with Habit Tracker included, and Blue-light Blocking Glasses.
Sometimes the hardest breakups aren’t with people. They’re with patterns we once needed but no longer serve us.
If 2026 is asking anything of us, it may simply be this: What am I holding onto? And what would happen if I finally let go?
~ ~ ~
I’m Ruth Anita Foote, an award-winning journalist, historian, author, and online entrepreneur— passionate about helping you enhance your business, career, and lifestyle. Whether you need writing, editing, research, or online business development, I’m here to support your growth. My goal is to empower you to elevate your success and make a lasting impact in your field. You can connect to all my social media platforms through Linktr.ee
