THE ROOT 9: 36.2

Word vs. A Sentence

What does this simple statement mean to you?

The other day, I got into a rabbit hole of the history of the Olsen twins and stumbled upon an old interview where this quote was mentioned. I found it incredibly empowering.

What is interesting is that everyone's interpretation of this quote will be slightly different. When I heard it, the first thing I did was draw a comparison in my mind to how I view the word "Yes."

In my brain, "Yes" is already a complete sentence. Whether it is a text to my mom, a friend, Dylan, or a coworker, a clear "Yes" doesn’t necessitate further explanation, justification, or context from me.

While I am not saying that saying "No" never warrants an explanation, what if we started treating it the same way? What if we allowed "No" to carry the same weight as "Yes"?

We often feel compelled to cushion a refusal with apologies, excuses, or lengthy explanations to soften the impact on the other person. That need to justify our boundary can sometimes undermine the boundary itself.

We have the right to claim time and energy without requiring a detailed defense. This week, consider when "No" as a complete sentence deserves to be carried as its own full stop.

On Dopamine

The fundamental rule of dopamine is simple: whatever you use for a hit, your body quickly learns to crave.

I have been avoiding actually considering whether this is something I seriously need to address, but it’s becoming increasingly clear to me that I have conditioned my brain to get dopamine hits from artificial sweeteners to a high degree. Our brains don’t know the difference between actual sugar and the artificial version I deemed to be "healthier," and I have become reliant on my meals feeling fulfilled only if something sweet is involved.

There is nothing wrong with a sweet treat here or there, but I’ve taken this to a level that is simply too reliant. Sometimes, when old habits are no longer serving us, we just need to make ourselves uncomfortable and try new things. I think this is a clear example.

I am not super proud of my recent pattern of dinner occasionally turning into a hodgepodge of chocolate pieces, frozen tiramisu, scoops of ice cream, and a bit of yogurt. So, for the next two weeks, regardless of where I am or what I am craving, I am committing myself to only whole foods and using the natural sweetness of fruit as my true sugar source to balance out this reliance on artificial sweeteners.

If anything, let this be a gentle sign to address a habit you’ve refused to actually question and give it the critical eye.

I am notoriously bad at keeping track of water bottles, and the last time I successfully decorated one with stickers was during my freshman year of college (which I did eventually lose, and it was quite the heartbreak).

I bought a new Nalgene a couple of days ago, and I am oddly excited about it for two reasons: First, the lower cost makes me less stressed that I'll lose it. More importantly, I feel like I am channeling my inner child with a newfound energy to cover a bottle in stickers. It is a subtle way to express personality that you carry with you throughout the day.

So…If you see a sticker that calls your name and reminds you of me, please send it my way. I am collecting!!