I think it’s fair to say that we’re a culture driven by and obsessed with food. While I myself enjoy a good slice (or four) of pepperoni-pineapple-green-pepper pizza, or a package of Reese’s peanut butter cups, I’ve noticed a growing trend in what seems to be the romanticization of food within our lives. From what may begin as a simple enjoyment of chocolate has grown to the metaphorical equivalent of sticking your d*ck in a jar of Nutella, and frankly, that’s a problem. (If you’re literally sticking your d*ck in a jar of Nutella, that is a separate issue that I highly recommend you talk to someone about. Or, well, maybe find a new hobby. Or don’t. It’s your Nutella, man.)
To lay the groundwork, I am 110 percent a proponent of loving your body and not policing how people should live their lives. What I am, however, against is the manipulation of our perception through marketing — like any good millennial, I suppose. Can emotional fulfillment really be found at the bottom of a package of Chip’s Ahoy, or even a container of hummus and crudités? I think that, yes, sometimes it can, after a long, harrowing day. Where this crosses into concerning behavior is where we begin trading in jokes about eating whole pizzas instead of dealing with our emotional issues. (And I would know because if Avoiding Emotional Issues was an Olympic event, I would take home, well, probably bronze, at best. I’m not much one for intense competition.)
In a world filled with easy distractions, companies have begun picking up on the trend of apathy that comes with not caring about our bodies. How often have you stumbled across Facebook statuses or Tumblr posts with a plethora of likes about not exercising or overeating? Sure, maybe it’s worth a chuckle, but if you stare just a beat longer at it, there’s a sadness embedded within it. The concept of giving up on oneself is vastly different than treating oneself after a hard day or week or even month.
A staleness has crept into our psyche, and it’s time to demand change. We need to reinvigorate the youth with cries for embracing our emotions, for understanding that life is difficult and can’t be avoided through a bag of Lay’s chips. Sometimes it helps to have that emotional cushion, and we’ve all been there, but to be driven to it over and over by the hand of a sensually created Twix commercial where caramel drizzles in slow-motion is not where we should let ourselves sit.
While it may seem innocuous at first, it quickly gains footing when you repeat the concept out loud with “Alcohol” instead of “Food,” and at the end of the day, it’s all the same outcome: denial of emotions. I know it’s hard to face things, that it can hurt, and nobody should ever rush you past the pace you’re ready to face things, but you’re not going to find growth or improvement if you let yourself stare down 6 inches of a meaty hoagie every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday while marathoning Pretty Little Liars.
So maybe while you’re munching on a sleeve of Oreos, stop and think about why you haven’t felt like going out with your friends for the past few months, or why you keep scrolling through your ex’s texts from last year, or why you genuinely feel the need to literally stick your dick in a jar of Nutella. No, really, please. I want to know why you think it’s necessary to coat your junk in chocolate-hazelnut spread. I won’t judge, but I just want answers.
I’m going to tell you something though that can’t be found in a package of Starbursts or on one of those Dove chocolate wrappers: You’re going to be okay. Sometimes you’re going to have to face the Big Problems in life, and it’ll suck complete and total ass, but you’ll be okay. It might not feel like it, and it’ll be scary, but chances are, you’re stronger than you think you are. So let’s grab a bag of Cheetos and celebrate, shall we?
