I’m going over generalize here and say that there are two types of people in the world:

People who can do things in moderation.

And those of us that can’t. 🙂

I sat in a group of friends awhile back who were talking about how their husbands did not seem to be able to do anything in moderation. And I was like, WHOA! That is me!! I can’t do anything in moderation either! (OK, I can do some things in moderation, but I lean toward the far end of the no moderation spectrum.)

For me, this means if I decide to do something, I go all out. Nothing is done half-way. I’m hard-core. I give it everything in my being. And If I can’t do all of that, I don’t want to even start it! It’s just not worth it to me if I can’t be all in.

It also means I’m terribly/wonderfully loyal to the thing I decided to do, relationships I decided were worth my effort, etc. If I’ve decided to something, I will do everything in my power to make sure it is done well and it will be extremely important to me. I’m invested!

A year after I had my first baby, I decided it was time to lose weight. I went to Weight Watchers, paid my fee, followed the rules to a tee with no cheating and lost all the weight (that I have since all gained back. I’ve now decided I’m committed to good food. Don’t judge! 🙂 )

I throw myself into my work and constantly push myself to do more. I’m harder on myself than any boss ever could be.

If you’re my friend, I will do anything in the world for you.

I’ve always admired how my mom can eat half of a yummy piece of dessert and save the rest for later.  I can’t do that! 🙂

When I was dating, I couldn’t have casual dates. I either decided pretty quick that it wasn’t what I wanted or I was immediately hooked and wanted to spend a ton of time with the other person.

Last week, I decided I wasn’t going to drink Cokes for a week (for the first time ever, and I wasn’t sure I could do it). But after I made the decision to do it, it wasn’t even hard! It was too easy. Because the decision was made. That was it all it took.

It’s interesting to me that it took me this long in life to realize this about myself.

It makes me think about the decisions I make more because I throw so much of myself into them. They affect me greatly.  And thus my family too.

Honestly, I hope my kids will grow up to be better at keeping things in moderation than I am.  Even though I don’t even really know what that would look like! 🙂

Are you someone who is able to do things in moderation or all you an all-or-nothing person?