Happiness Doesn't Always Make You Feel Happy

Why do we self sabotage?  Why do we avoid doing things we know benefit us and will make us happy?  Why do we indulge in things that will ultimately make us unhappy?

Examples of things that are gratifying short term that are often the source of unhappiness and undue stress later: 
-Skipping a workout.  I never regret a workout, even if it's awful and I struggle. The misery is temporary, but the benefits are long term.
- Binging on sugar laden foods. Any foods, really.  After I reach the bottom of the pint of ice cream, then what?  I didn't gain anything in life by stuffing my face.
- Spending money on unnecessary things.  Shopping is my vice (and ice cream!). But if I shop away all my money, I will never be able to afford a down payment on a house, which would bring me more joy than another pair of wedges.

I've always been a bit impatient and had a desire for instant gratification, but the most gratifying things in life come to those who work hard, are patient, and focus on the future. 

"Happiness doesn't always make you feel happy." is a quote from The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  She goes on to describe how things that we don't enjoy (yard work, exercise, saving money, going to work everyday, cooking, cleaning) make us happier in the long run because if we don't do them, we ultimately will be more unhappy (because our houses are filthy and we are broke, fat, and unhealthy).

My resolution is to focus on my future happiness, not temporary bits of joy.  That being said, I'm not going to quit ice cream and Target purchases, but I am going to try to stop and think about exactly what each of these things fulfills in my life and consider the consequences of my impulses.

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This is a random, out of the blue Tuesday post.  It was brought on by my 5:30 AM workout.  I love working out in the morning, but more often than not, I snooze right through it.  This morning, upon returning home from this WOD and feeling completely blissful, I thought Why do I deprive myself of this feeling morning after morning?


Thoughts?  Do you look at the big picture and think long term or are you an instant gratification type person?  What is one of your habits that you know ultimately leads to unhappiness, but you do it anyway?