It's the new year, and there's one thing I really, really want to change about myself.
I *need* to start taking better care of my teeth. Specifically, I need to start brushing regularly before I go to bed.
The problem is that I never decide to go to bed. I always just allow myself to conk out whenever I feel tired enough. And I never know when that will be.
As a student, I fell asleep all the time while studying in bed (I don't believe in desks; plus, my chair sucks and I like my bed because it is warm). Now, I find that I'm falling asleep while reading in bed.
I know a possible solution is to brush my teeth *before* I start reading in bed, but I like to snack while reading. Also, I read all the time, and I never know when I'll conk out. Sometimes, I stay awake for hours. Other times, I'm out in ten minutes.
And, of course, once I'm already nodding off, I can almost never summon the willpower to wake myself up enough to go and brush my teeth.
I am terrified of seeing a dentist, even though I know I really need to. I regularly have nightmares about my teeth falling out. I can't sleep well at night because of the guilt, although it's still not enough to get me to wake myself up. I can feel my teeth rotting (I really hope that's all in my head).
In order to motivate myself, here's my plan. I'm going to pay myself a dollar for every time I brush my teeth. It'll be my dentist avoidance tax.
God, I hope this works.
Happy New Year, everyone!
New Year's Resolution
January 1st, 2007 at 12:24 pm
January 1st, 2007 at 01:42 pm 1167658928
Or how about a strong mouthwash kept bedside and a cup to 'spit' with?
Not perfect but maybe doable?
January 1st, 2007 at 04:40 pm 1167669654
January 1st, 2007 at 09:23 pm 1167686622
January 1st, 2007 at 09:50 pm 1167688201
Of course, snacking while reading isn't the best idea as you really have no idea how much you are eating since you aren't paying attention. Consuming calories that late at night isn't either. I can't remember if you were trying to lose weight or just get fit, but that kind of snacking will lead to weight gain if you aren't careful.
January 1st, 2007 at 10:13 pm 1167689614
January 3rd, 2007 at 08:46 am 1167813977
Once I get a spare moment, I'm going to find my floss. I've already replaced my toothbrush. I will try to remember to invest in mouthwash the next time I'm in a supermarket.
Oh, and call the dentist. Urg.
And LuckyRobin--you must have me confused for someone else, because I am not trying to lose weight! For whatever reason (bizarre genetic mutation? hyperactive metabolism? bitten by a radioactive spider?), I am freakishly underweight naturally (bottom 2nd percentile), and can't seem to put on weight no matter what I eat. So no need to watch the snacking! I hereby extend my apologies to the rest of humanity. If I knew my secret, I would share it with you guys. But only after I patent myself and make millions.
~mimi
January 9th, 2007 at 04:51 am 1168318303