Unconscious
“According to Freud, thoughts and emotions outside of our awareness continue to exert an influence on our behaviors, even though we are unaware (unconscious) of these underlying influences. The unconscious mind can include repressed feelings, hidden memories, habits, thoughts, desires, and reactions.” — Kendra Cherry, VeryWell Mind
At the beginning of the year, I made a list of cooking items I wanted to learn. Brewing tea from loose leaves is on the list. The funny thing is that I am not an avid tea drinker. My mom drinks several cups a day. For me, it is once in a blue moon. So why is it on the list?
For many, many, many years, I drank a cup of Cafix in the morning. It is an instant powder made from roasted barley, chicory, and beets. I even bring it with me when I travel. Also, many, many, years ago I took the Eliza test for food allergies and discovered a sensitivity to gluten, yeast, cow’s milk dairy, and eggs. It wasn’t until very recently that I paid attention enough to realize that Barley is a glutenous grain. Why it had taken me this long I will never know. I got sad, but quickly decided to start a tea practice.
Had my decision to learn how to brew tea from leaves been my subconscious telling me that tea was in my future? I believe so. From above, Freud believed that the unconscious mind included habits. My desire to learn to brew tea from leaves will become part of my new tea habit.
“Understanding the tug the unconscious exerts on us is essential so that we do not become overwhelmed by impulses that are hard to understand and control. The ability to regulate our own behavior—whether making friends, getting up to speed at a new job or overcoming a drinking problem—depends on more than genes, temperament and social support networks. It also hinges, in no small measure, on our capacity to identify and try to overcome the automatic impulses and emotions that influence every aspect of our waking life.” — John A. Bargh, Scientific American
The point is there are two types of subconscious/unconscious thought— the one that over time points us in a direction (the kind I had) and the one that helps us make split-second decisions.
I do miss my daily Cafix, but I am getting used to tea with milk. The other items on my list this year are making Mofongo, homemade Nutella, and salmon jerky.