Teaching myself to wait! my saga with delayed gratification.

 One of the many challenges of our modern era is the ability to delay gratification and reward. Everything is a button click away from food, groceries, even services such as cleaning your house, fixing your car etc. Everything is about the NOW. Every pleasure is readily accessible. Hedonism leads the way!. 

Last year I bought the "Marshmellow test" by Walter Mischell from a charity bookshop and upon reading the book and the benefits of teaching children delayed gratification, I was keen to test it on my own!. (Ethical approval obtained from the mother!). needless to say, they failed spectacularly, the younger one ate the marshmallow as soon as I left the room and the older one waited for a few minutes before concluding that his dad is "Tricking him" as he admitted in the post-event interview!. 

To be honest, I was a bit disappointed at the results and saw it as a testament to my parenting. How can I instil a characteristic that I lack into my progeny?. the answer is simply I can not. 

But how do you teach an adult delayed gratification? can old dogs learn new tricks!. 

I needed something that provides delayed gratification but needs effort and patience. however, most importantly something I at least enjoy to some extent. 

After ruling out numerous activities I settled on growing vegetables!

 the rewards are months away, and growing in a temperate climate is rather arduous than the Tropical climate where I grew up.  Plants need Tender Love Care (TLC) to grow.

 The seeds have to be sown indoors at the right time of the year, then planted out in spring once the risk of frost has passed, some in growhouses. Then I can estimate the areas of my garden that receive full sun and parts that are part-shade (<6 hours of sun a day). I was disappointed that apart from a 1x1 metre patch the rest of the garden received at sunlight about 6 hours or less a day. 

Don't even mention all the feeding of plants and watering each plant just the right amount. weeding , pest control etc.. 

All this for a measly tiny few carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce leaves etc. 

Surely, I couldn't think of a better activity to start teaching me the art of waiting. which I did. 

Delayed Gratification is boring. and painful. I found out. ....

I will let you know once harvest time comes, how it feels!..