Why Instant Gratification Sucks (& What to Do)

Instant gratification is the idea that we want something right now, and that the desire for something right this second is so strong that we give up a future reward that is bigger or more worthwhile. All because we must have something now.

Have you ever thought about how big of an impact instant gratification plays in our lives?

How about that urge to eat some high-calorie treat instead of something that’s healthier?

How about when we want to hit the snooze alarm even though we know we aren’t getting quality sleep after that?

How about when we decide to try some retail therapy instead of saving our money for retirement or savings?

In the long run, instant gratification doesn’t help us. We get so involved with the present and with feeling good right now that it becomes this idea of “Why think about tomorrow, when I can save that problem for my future self?”

And then tomorrow happens, and we’re left wondering why we’re so anxious, struggling to pay our bills, or have a hard time fitting into our pants.

Emotions are a huge part of instant gratification. It’s the idea that somewhere along the line, we’ve been emotionally rewarded for this. So, trying to change instant gratification behavior also means looking at our emotions.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself to try to stop your instant gratification:

1. What are my choices?

It’s so easy for us to dismiss our choices.  We may not always like our choices, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t exist. So it’s important to realize what choices you have.

2. How will I feel if I take each choice?

Emotions are key here! Will you feel guilty if you eat that extra dessert? Will you feel angry if you hit snooze one more time? Will you feel proud if you eat the apple? It’s also important to think about the longer term emotional impact of each choice, and not just the immediate emotional impact.

3. Which emotion would I rather feel?

We feel these emotions for a reason. If you’re going to feel guilty, that tells you something! In the moment it’s easy to talk ourselves into that emotional reward that comes with instant gratification, but if we see our choices and how these choices can impact us in the long run, that can help us see that the emotional reward that comes with instant gratification isn’t as great as the future emotional rewards.

4. How can I remind myself about this?

Sometimes instant gratification is a habit. And if that’s the case, how can you remind yourself that you’ll feel a certain way if you make a specific choice?

Instant gratification sucks. Our choices can have some real consequences. But that doesn’t mean you have to be powerless to your impulses!