In Dallas, on a work trip, during a month long reset for my body. A few years ago, I traveled almost 50% of the time– Nashville, Milwaukee, San Jose, and DC. During that time, I noticed how hotel rooms had the power to increase the intensity of hunger, in all its positive and negative forms. In the quiet of the room, or hidden under the layers of background sounds originating from the highway and tv, my hunger for food antagonizes and disrupts my focus.
I read, then feel the hunger kick in, so I walk down to the lobby and look for snacks.
Only, I don’t buy any.
I smile. The woman at the register asks me if I need help. I smile back, then reply no, before heading up to my room to type and read.
30 minutes later, I do the same thing again, then return.
This cycle continues because I know that if I give into this particular shade of hunger , I would only complain and be upset with myself for giving up– therefore antagonizing my focus.
So I just smile, chew some gum. Read and type. Then sleep.