Addicted

A friend and I were having a conversation the other day. “Have you ever been addicted to anything?” he asked me. My immediate response was, “No, I don’t have an addictive personality.” I was so sure of myself. I know without a doubt I have issues with anxiety, but not addiction. Oh sure, there was that time I thought I was addicted to gum, but that was more of a phase. Just like my short stint with smoking, just a phase. No problem quitting anything whatsoever.

I go through my days doing the same thing over and over. It only recently occurred to me that there was one thing that I repetitively do throughout the day everyday. It doesn’t matter where I am or what I’m doing, I stop and perform my ritual. I apply and reapply lip balm. In fact, I am addicted to lip balm. I own about 30 of them and I love them all. I love trying new formulas, new flavors and different brands. I even went through a phase where I made my own because I couldn’t find one I loved. A good lip balm needs to have the perfect amount of slip and flavor without being too waxy or sweet.

The funny thing about this is it’s not a secret, everyone knows it. I get lip balm as gifts from friends and family throughout the year, so I never run out. I have my favorites, my old faithfuls, and I carry about three of them in my purse. I have about five of them in my car and I keep them in various places throughout the house. I’m so attached, I once forgot to pack some on vacation and the first thing I did after arriving at the airport was buy some. Once when I went camping I forgot to pack a tube. Luckily the lodge carried a wonderful huckleberry lip balm that was so nice. I still have that one.

So before I go to bed tonight, I will apply one of my favorite lip balms and I will admit to my addiction. And I will thank God there isn’t a 12-step program for my addiction or a meeting, because if there is, I’m not going.