Revolutionary addiction

“Every form of addiction is bad, no matter whether the narcotic be alcohol or morphine or idealism.”

- Carl Gustav Jung quotes

It’s hard to understand an addiction unless you’ve experienced it, and most of us have experience one form or another at some point in our life. I recently came to the realization that I have an addiction called the Revolution.

I’m a person who loves life and wants to enjoy every second of it. But for the past ten months, all I could talk about is politics, and most of the activities I have been engaged in are related to the revolution. While I’ve always loved politics, it never completely and utterly consumed me like this before. Since January, my life has turned upside down.

I didn’t realize the negative side of it, until I noticed that I no longer talk about anything other than the Revolution. I miss talking about "nothing" and enjoying it. I miss laughing with friends so hard until tears roll down. I miss talking about what dress I wish was on sale, and what the latest movie is. I miss reflecting internally on how I feel. I miss talking to friends about their relationship problems. I miss talking to my brother and sister about their first year in university.

This obsession is making me miss out on important daily life, and its draining me emotionally.

I miss my old me.

Despite the irony that my friend pointed out of simultaneously wanting my OLD self back, and dreaming of a NEW Yemen, I need to step on the breaks and take a moment to reflect in order to remember that life is bigger than just one moment in history.

This is why I decided that I must undergo these 10 Steps of Revolution Rehab. I’m sure I’m not the only one suffering from this illness. If you are as well, here are some steps that could help you triumph over the addiction.

1. Admit that you are powerless over the Revolution – and that you life has become solely dedicated to it. 

2. Actively take weekends for R&R (rest and recuperation) to restore your sanity. 

3. Admit that in the process of your addiction, you may have neglected those closest to you, including family and friends. Seek apology from them.
4. Take a couple of hours each day to do non-Revolution related activities. Facebook and Twitter do not count.
5. Actively seek artistic nonpolitical activities. Try to express yourself through the arts.
6. Stay away from the computer for one entire day.
7. Dedicate at least one day a week to doing absolutely nothing related to the revolution. You can not talk about it, think about it, or do anything related to it.
8. Engage in conversation that is not related to the revolution at least once a day.
9. Do not go to change square for one entire week.
10. Do not attend a demonstration for one entire week.