Step 2: Determine the Appropriate Solution

It's pretty amazing all the many ways the body has of telling you it's time to stop. Physically I mean, not emotionally, because if I listened to my emotions once in a while I would have stopped a long time ago. Obviously that's not enough.

One bladder infection, two yeast infections, a ridiculously painful and emotional hangover, and an annoying cold have made it clear to me that it is, in fact, time to quit the daily binging (a term that can be used both literally and figuratively in this case). While I didn't intend on letting it get this far (does anyone ever intend to have their vagina go on strike not once, not twice, but three times in two weeks?), I do feel responsible for abusing myself so much that it actually affected my physical state. My body is generally surprisingly resilient, what with the 6+ drinks a night, 4- hours of sleep, and emotional roller coaster my recent break up has been. Fortunately, (and unfortunately for my liver/sinuses/genitalia) I did figure out that I needed a change of lifestyle asap before I got eaten alive by fire ants or contracted SARS.

So, I left. Duh. Leaving is so often the easy fix. The solution that says, 'If I just get away from it all then I can definitely get over it and make everything better.' Yes, of course it works. When you can start over in a new house with a new washing machine and refrigerator (by 'new' I mean 'different,' not actually 'new' because this stuff is actually older than me) and you're not looked in the face with all your problems, then you would and SHOULD be able to get over whatever is bothering you. The stinging hot Florida sun, the hot-as-bath-water-chlorine-infested pool, the ancient neighbors with their leathery damaged skin and a Walmart within 5 minutes driving distance has been a true version of Paradise.

I didn't say I stopped drinking. Or loathing my seemingly endless lonely existence and rolling chub around my waist. But I did start thinking about improving the condition of my mood and my body. And it's working so far, at least physically. My cold is gone. I have gotten at least 8 hours of sleep each night (for the most part). I have ditched the late night binging (except for that 3am trip to Denny's for breakfast the other night... but this should be a requirement for everyone's well-being once a year). And I have been reading books, which I actually never do. So it's a start. The true test will be what happens when I actually land at La Guardia tomorrow morning and feel the depressing cold and hear the frantic yelling cab controller lady trying to organize a massive line of people and yellow taxis. All I can say is that I am mentally and physically prepared for success, and that will be all it takes.