My Candy Obsession

Or should I really say, my Candy Crush Obsession

If you are Christian, this is the time of year you start to think about what you are going to give up for Lent.  Or maybe you aren’t Christian, but you do it with some of your Christian friends because you’re up for the challenge of giving something up for a few weeks.  Either way, it’s a a good time for sacrifice, self-reflection and evaluation.

I have to admit that since I was a young lass, or at least old enough to be aware of my own body, my Lenten sacrifice usually had something to do with me eventually losing weight. During the dark ages of January and February, comfort food tends to sneak into my diet more than I would like, so by Lent I am quite willing to do some serious sacrificing!

While I could eliminate some of the “bad” stuff from my diet for Lent (and I still may), I found something else that if I gave it up would really put a dent in my routine. Something that maybe isn’t exactly “bad” but isn’t adding any value to my life.    I am sad to admit it, but this thing that I do at a minimum of once a day, (usually twice), is Candy Crush.  Even though I rationalize that it gives me needed mindless down-time, I think every time I use it I just get more obsessed.  

I play it every morning before I start my day.  I usually play it at night as the family is starting to wind down.  I bring it with me to the bathroom (don’t judge,  you know you do it too – but together we can judge the people who talk on the phone while they’re in the bathroom). Whether I’m at home or away, this is a part of my routine.  For seven years I have been playing it nearly every day.  Outside of my habits of hygiene, I don’t know what else I have been that consistent with. 

There are 4250 levels in Candy Crush the last time I checked. I am on 2335.  I keep thinking that if I just keep plugging away at it, I’ll get to the end. It makes sense to stop, but only after you finish it, right? 

I have never gone gangbusters on the game, meaning with one exception over the years, I don’t buy boosters or extra lives.  Once my 5 lives are up, I give it a break or on occasion watch a video for a free life.  I make steady progress, but I’m not clearing hundreds of levels a day. At this rate, the end may be 6 or so years away.  

In my current reflective state, as I prepare for my Lenten sacrifice, I think, what does Candy Crush, (or any of the other mindless games out there for that matter), do for me?  It does give me this minute sense of accomplishment when I beat a level, especially when it’s a level I’ve been working on for a while.  But, does it make me a better person?  Can I apply the skills I use to get a wrapped candy to being a better mom?  Does my approach to getting a striped candy help me be a better co-worker? 

Maybe Candy Crush does give me a small respite from everyday life.  I wonder, though, if there is something better for me out there.  Something with a little more substance, but still pretty easy going. I think there must be.  I mean, how did folks in the 50’s and 60’s relax?  Wait, they smoked and drank – at least according to Mad Men.  Let me do that again. How did folks relax before Candy Crush?  I don’t know, but I am going to find out.

So, I am going to give up “Candy” for Lent and let life take its course and see what fills its void.  Something tech related? More family time?  More doggy time?  Exercise?  We shall see.  I’ll report back when I’m done;-)

What is your Candy Crush?  Would you give it up?  What would, or has, taken its place?

I am truly looking forward to seeing the results!