[dx87]

Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to spend their life doing what they enjoy, whenever they want. I'd bet that avoiding adversity at all costs is a bigger contributor to anxiety and depression because unless you live an incredibly privileged life, you'll eventually have to deal with things you don't want to.

[ajkdhcb2]

If an action is going to minimise anxiety and depression in the long run, then it's what you want to do, so no mind-games and lying to yourself should be required.

[Jeriko]

It is all mind games. I feel like you are leaning on a negative association to the phrase rather than making an argument. If you say "I don't feel like I want to do a thing, but doing that thing will minimise anxiety and depression in the long run, therefore I do want to do the thing" that is definitely a mind game. It is also a good way to be happier and more satisfied in life.

[ghostbrainalpha]

So you do what is in your long term best interest at all times?

I live in Las Vegas and it feels like my entire city was built on the backs of people who are unable to think in accordance with their long term plans.

[charlieflowers]

Albert Ellis wrote some interesting stuff about this. He called it "long term hedonism." https://albertellis.org/yolo/

[closeparen]

And yet many people find them necessary for e.g. exercise.

[darkerside]

If they are what's required to improve, then do them. Recognize when you no longer need the lies and move on.