"Well," said Pooh, "What I like best," and then he had to stop and think. Because although eating honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he did not know what it was called.”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
I remember, years ago, hearing a radio announcer talking about a study that was conducted about anticipation and satisfaction. I do not know what the study was called and I have never looked for it, but for some reason it stuck with me.
The context was with regards to romantic relationships and the idea that ‘the chase’ is the most exciting part for most people. The conclusion of the study was that the majority of people get more satisfaction out of anticipating a romantic situation than they do out of actually experiencing it.
I remember thinking that was really sad.
In some ways, I suppose, it is sad but it is also an interesting point about how our minds work. Using our imagination, we can build things up in our mind to the point where we believe they will be incredible.
I think most people do this with food.
Picture yourself sitting at a restaurant, staring at the dessert menu. The rich looking chocolate, perfectly scrumptious, dripping caramel and piles of fluffy whipped cream – it probably looks like the best thing you will ever eat.
In that moment, the little voices in your head are pressuring you, against all of your better judgment to order that dessert!
As you wait, for the longest ten minutes of your life, you are so excited, anticipating this sweet elixir of amazing-ness.
When it finally arrives you barely breath as you inhale the first few bites.
About five bites in, you have come down from your euphoric mind game and realize: It is just cake. And, shoot, you were not planning on eating cake.
This happened to me just last night. I was out with some buddies watching the Leaf’s game and they all ordered wings and beer. Man, did it look good and smell amazing. I really wanted some. In my mind I kept thinking about how good both would taste, the hot, spicy, crispy wings with the smooth, cold beer. Want!
Instead, I ordered a tea and no food. I had eaten a big dinner right before I came, expecting this type of scenario.
Sure I got a couple of eye rolls. As well as the token comment, “Wow, that looks really filling.” But my friends are used to me being a ‘health freak’, so it was all in good fun.
When I was driving home, I was so proud of myself for not giving into that voice. I was not even hungry and I know that the anticipation was much more exciting than the actual eating of that greasy bar food. Not to mention I avoided a night of indigestion.
I wrote this blog because I wanted to share the words that I have come to repeat in my head as a mantra on those occasions when junk food looks so good:
“The anticipation is more exciting than the experience.”
Feel free to quote me on that one, and use it when ever you need to.
If you can relate to this story, I would love to hear your thoughts.
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