This unexamined fear of deprivation has a huge effect on my life. we eat too much Because we are afraid of being disappointed by small portions . we continue bad habits for years because the thought of disallowing ourselves to do something we enjoy feels oppressive ." we deserve it" ! We tell ourselves . The strange thing is that usually it's not real deprivation . These are real choices . The big purchase , the extra calories and the indulgent habit are always available to you to take or leave . We are faced with this kind of choice - "Do I let myself have it or not "? - all the time . Particularly when we're in the midst of some kind of self - improvement effort , we often feel like we're stuck between a familiar rock and a hard place - Do the unhealthy thing and feel guilty or do the healthy thing and feel deprived . you can get the salad instead of junks But then you've to watch people eating there Delicious stuff while u eat your sad little salad . Going the self - deprivation route feels like we're renouncing pleasure and comfort as part of our lives . Such a life of constraints seems awful , so we often choose what looks like freedom & if freedom is so filled with chocolate , "then so be it "!