It started simply enough, my daughter asked to have dessert first. Thus began a family tradition of backwards dinners. Simply stated - eat your sweets, then a main course and salad. If you have room, add some soup at the end. A few months later a client told me about opposite day: "go against most of your decisions, do the opposite and see what happens". She told me this in the context of her eating disorder and relationship issues and, to both of our surprises, it made one of those tiny changes that started a revolution in her life.
Since that time, I try to apply opposite day in many ways in my life and suggest it to clients as well. I especially find it helps with my rather strange sense of direction which always points the natural opposite to the place I am headed. It works with food, friends and lovers as well as work situations. For instance, if you usually feel anger at someone who is always late, show compassion and see what happens. Do you usually feel defensive with your mother? Take her to lunch when you would normally pull away and see what can change. If you trust yourself to use this in small ways that help you, go ahead, adopt the day as yours and write me if you find out anything about yourself.
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