A misleading pendulum (snap over swing)

About ten years ago, we had a neighbor whose cat we babysitted from time to time. Apparently we did an adequate job, because one Christmas, our neighbor gave us chocolate as a way to say thank you. The chocolate came up when we next saw her, and somehow - I don't know how or why or what the hell - I mentioned that I need to earn the right to eat that chocolate.

You know, because catsitting is not earning enough.

Well, I suppose I was in my disciplined era (although no one talked about eras back then... and hell, does the whole saying exist because of this one particular singer with a tour of the same name? I need to quit talking Gen Z slang I clearly don't know how to use correctly) —

— I mean I was in my disciplined phase and got massive kicks out of earning every kind of pleasure there was.

Well, our neighbor didn't have such rules. She didn't have to earn the chocolate; she could have it when she wanted.

Which leads to a few observations:

Denying immediate gratification in favor of the delayed type is massively rewarding and meaningful.
As per the Pendulum, there's historical data of me going from daily indulging (life) to strict discipline (creation) at regular intervals. At times, letting go feels like the right thing to do. After a while of letting go, taking hold feels like the right thing to do.
Right now, after having a ton of ice cream for weeks and not seeing the best version of myself in the mirror while having achy knees, I feel like taking hold again.
Although, just two days ago, I was drinking seltzer and eating whipped cream with strawberries while postponing work because the day was "a little hard".
Then again, change happens in an instant, like a snap.

Today - or rather, yesterday at 5 pm - was that snappy instant.