Accountability Buddies

Let's Get Started!

How many times have you wanted to go get food, whether it be from the cafe or a nearby restaurant, and you didn't want to go alone? I can personally attest to doing this. Eating alone is nowhere near a bad thing; but it can definitely be intimidating or nerve-wrecking sometimes. Usually there may be certain places where one would expect to see multiple people together; like the mall or a dine in restaurant. But going alone feels wrong in a sense like you're the odd man out. I personally choose not to eat alone as frequently due to the fact that I feel like I'm being watched. (Anyone else get that feeling? Just me? LOL)

But on the flip side, being able to have a "food buddy" makes getting something to eat a hundred times more fun than it would've been going alone. Lets think of the ways that eating with a friend can be enjoyable:

• Less pressure for being alone
• The other person can help narrow down food options
• There is someone for you to have a conversation with

...the list goes on. The overall point is that having someone to be with while having a meal can be a little bit more enjoyable than eating alone. 

Have you thought about what the process of you eating with another person is like? In other words, what are the factors or reasons for your "meal dates" with friends? I personally have a few thoughts on some possible factors:

• Convenience: if you are already together leaving class, work on campus, or a sports event, it makes it easier to suggest eating
• Relationships: if you are close with someone such as a roommate, classmate, teammate, etc. it would be easier to hang out
• Catching up: Stevenson University for example, is a very small school compared to most. But there is still a chance of not seeing a friend for days, weeks, maybe even the whole semester.

There definitely might be other factors that account for the decision to eat with a friend. However the important part is just finding someone to eat with because it motivates you to do the same. Somewhat like studying with other people makes you want to be more productive in your work. Its all about having someone to make you accountable for acknowledging whether you ate that day, how much you might have eaten, etc. 

Don't have an accountability buddy? Make one:

• Match your schedule with a friend's to see when you both are available
• Whenever you're free and want to grab a bite, text a friend to see if they're free too
• When leaving class/ work/ practice, etc. ask if the other person has eaten yet
• Studying with a group? Make a plan for everyone to bring a snack or dinner (or lunch) to keep everyone alert and productive