I’m not a big dessert person at all, but I do enjoy a little piece of chocolate every night. It’s something I consider my chocolate closure on the day. Although I am partial to the small Hershey’s Bliss chocolates, Dove Promises come in a close second. The prices are practically the same, yet when it comes down to it, I usually throw the Dove Promises in my cart.
Why?
Because I get more than just a small piece of (delicious) chocolate with the Dove—I get a small little note inside each wrapper.
I have since made a pledge to overachieve this promise on the weekends.
That doesn’t sound like much and the sayings are rather lame, but I have to admit that I look forward to reading the message each night when I eat my piece (or two) of chocolate. It’s like a fortune cookie that actually tastes good. When I open the wrapper of each Hershey’s Bliss, I am faced with an empty wrapper and a sigh.
Why?
Because I get just a small piece of (delicious) chocolate with the Hershey’s, and that’s it. With all other factors being virtually equal, it’s that little extra something with the Dove that persuades me to buy that particular product. It’s that little note—my chocolate closure.
Where am I going with this?
I’m not sure if it’s age, experience or ambivalence, but I’ve gotten rather good at letting things go. There’s not that anxiety hanging on every decision I make (or don’t make.) There’s not that stress of wondering what I think others want me to do. There’s not the resentment or frustration I used to haul around each day. For the most part, I do what I want and move on.
I’ve come a long way. I’m proud of that.
But there’s still that part of me that wants closure, and not just of the chocolate variety. When I send an e-mail, I want a quick reply. If I leave a message, I want a swift response. When I publish something, I want feedback—good or bad—so I’m not forced to make assumptions as to just where I might stand.
There are times I still doubt what I do, say, write or sing at the top of my lungs when I think no one else can hear me. And yes, silence still makes me doubtful at times.
It’s probably the Leo in me—we are a prideful bunch.
But to that I shrug and say oh well. It’s a natural craving. Some days and some people might be more Bliss than Promises, more sugar than substance.
I’m okay with that. I’m proud of that.
So if I want a damn piece of chocolate to tell me to “Write a letter, not an e-mail” or “You make everything lovely,” that’s all the closure that I need.
Not that I don’t expect an automatic e-mail reply, text message or comment on my Facebook status, blog post, etc. I do. I probably always will. It’s just that now I feed my feelings of insecurity with a couple pieces of chocolate at night, convince myself that I’m wonderful and then move on.
Closure—chocolate or otherwise.
Abby Has Issues 
I remember that in some hotels, they put a little bite of chocolate like the ones you wrote about on the pillow of each bed. I loved that!
And like you, I love to have little sayings with something. I didn’t know that Dove chocolates have them, but I know it from Yogi tea that there are little saying on the paper tabs with each bag of tea. They’re rather philosophical than practical like the one about getting enough sleep. I always read them. 🙂
I like the Yogi tea for that reason, too 😉
I was going to say thats why I buy yogi tea!
you should ALWAYS be proud of yourself. never, ever, ever, lose sight of that– chocolate or not 😉
Abby, I just wrote a post kind of about letting go of things. It is so difficult to just let things be without getting the appropriate regards or closure. Dove promises aren’t my favorite chocolates, but I do adore the sayings. Little quoates are why I choose certain tea bags over others. There is something coforting about the words. Like someone is taking tot he extra time to say hello to me. Silly, I know.
I don’t have this kind of discipline when it comes to chocolate. I do like that those Dove chocolates give you a little note- I had no idea. I can relate to what you’re saying about letting go – I find it slightly easier in my recent years.
I’m the exact same way about waiting for responses. Which is ironic since I make such a big point lately of not being instantly & constantly available for everyone else.
I like the ritual you describe, and I can totally see why you’d choose Dove over Hershey’s for that reason. Lovely to get to a point where you can just be you, isn’t it? Enjoy your chocolate tonight!
Breezy, clear, conversational writing. My favorite kind. The subheads are a nice transition and keep the piece moving along like a conversation with a friend.
“For the most part, I do what I want and move on.” Great philosophy!
When I am not doing low-carb, I also buy Dove for that very same reason!
When I find a particularly sappy and poignant statement, I tape it to my fridge for a while. 🙂
8 hours of sleep. To dream! Now I know that the key to my sleep challenge is to buy Dove chocolates to remind me! Thanks for providing that rationalization.
I like this take on forgiveness, it’s subtle and funny where I went all literal and personal and holy crap I hit publish on that…
The real question is do you forgive Hershey for not including a message on their wrappers?
I like the way you separated logic from feelings and emotions. To me, it was a good mix and made for an easy flowing read.
You know how I love my Yogi tea “fortunes.” I feel similar about the little notes in the Doves as well. I also find that as I get older it’s easier for me to let go of things. Thank god, right? If not, I’d be even more of a neurotic mess than I already am!
Feeling wonderful is a good way to end every day 🙂
P.S. Just wanted to share my morning Yogi fortune:
You are unlimited.
I like that.
I like it.
I don’t always require or offer closure, depending on the situation. If I feel as though “an endpoint” is implied, I let it go. At other times, I expect more than that. Perhaps when I was dating in my 20s, I required quite a bit more closure if a relationship was coming to an end, for instance. Nowadays, I am a little more easy-going. I guess there’s something to be said for being “middle-aged”.
Also, while I can appreciate your tiny chocolate closure, my goal–to challenge myself as I eventually gain full closure on my ED–is to have full chocolate bar closure! Woot!
With age comes experience, as I’m much happier a bit older and a bit less dependent on that “closure” aspect than I was even a couple of years ago. I think it’s just a developed sense of self, a point where you don’t need anyone to validate your decisions. As for the chocolate bar, I’m not a candy person, but metaphorically you know I’m in the same boat 😉
Yeah, I actually fantasize more about the biggest vat of guacamole I could find as my point of closure. 😉 I was being a little silly about the chocolate bar, though that’s not out of the question. 🙂
I agree, I think we all hit certain points–or “Aha! moments” as Oprah would call them–where we think, “I don’t give a damn about this–who needs closure in this particular situation? I AM ENOUGH!” and move on. It can definitely happen at any age, though. It’s just taken a hell of a lot longer for this particular broad, and I still have to challenge myself.
And this is exactly why, when I buy chocolates, I buy Dove. There’s something affirming in that little note. Like my chocolate loves me. And some days? I really need that affirmation, that little note.
I really liked this post. It was a very clever take on the prompt.
What is this yogi tea all you guys speaketh of? I love promises chocolate. I break it up into tiny pieces and let it melt in my mouth. Love the little messages in there too. They are much better than fortune cookies.
If all it takes is a piece or two of chocolate and a message to give you a little inner peace and comfort… then that’s not a bad thing at all. 🙂