self-control

Button Pushers: The Unpaid Elevator Operators of Your Life

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They don’t ride elevators, but they sure know how to send you up and down. Here’s how to keep your cool when button pushers strike.

Do you know what a button pusher is? Hint: It’s not someone who professionally rides elevators. It’s the people in your life who know all your hot buttons. They not so innocently, in the middle of a conversation, push one of your hot buttons. there only purpose is to watch you react. The conversation ends. The button pusher walks away content they pushed your button. You stand there wondering what made you so fired up.

Here’s a tip. When a button pusher tries to push your button you can ignore the comment. There’s no law saying you have to respond. Simply say, I” prefer not to talk about it.” If the button pusher asks, “Why?” Shrug your shoulders and bring up some lame topic like, “Have you tried basting tofu with peanut butter?” Do it a few times and the button pusher will leave you alone and search for another victim.

Have you ever dealt with a “button pusher”? How did you handle it—and what worked best to keep your cool?

Healthy Foods: How to Eat Healthy at an Italian Restaurant Without Embarrassing Your Friends (Or Yourself)

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Imagine this:

You and a few of your best amigos decide to hit up the new Italian joint downtown. It’s festive, it’s lively, and the garlic bread aroma could lead a monk astray.

But you’ve been reading Optimistic Beacon (smart move), and you’re committed to eating healthy — without turning dinner into a nutritional TED Talk.

Here’s how you can pull it off like a smooth operator:

1. Pre-Game Like a Pro (Quietly)

Before you even sit down, sneak a peek at the menu online. Knowing what you want ahead of time makes you look decisive (and prevents that deer-in-the-carb-loaded-headlights moment).

Pro Tip: Drink a big glass of water before you head out. You’ll arrive hydrated and a little less ravenous. Your stomach — and your self-control — will thank you.

2.  Lead with Enthusiasm, Not a Lecture

When the waiter comes around, smile and say something like:

“Everything looks amazing! I think I’m going to go with the grilled salmon and roasted veggies — I’m in the mood for something light tonight.”

No one argues with “light.” Everyone admires “balanced.” And no one likes “Oh, I don’t eat gluten, dairy, sugar, joy, or hope.”

3.  Secret Weapon Starters: Salad or Broth-Based Soup

Order a simple green salad (ask for dressing on the side) or a broth-based minestrone soup. You’re starting strong without setting off any “Oh no, here we go” alarms.

Bonus: You’ll be too busy spooning delicious veggies to notice your friend double-ordering garlic knots.

4.  Pasta? You Can Play That Game

If the table’s ordering pasta, join the fun without the food coma.

Look for whole-wheat pasta (lots of places have it) or ask for a veggie-packed primavera. Pro tip: marinara sauce is your friend — it’s tomato-based, not butter- or cream-drenched.

If you’re feeling extra slick, ask for half the pasta and double the veggies. The chef might just high-five you in the kitchen.

5.  Skip the Bread Basket (Stealth Mode)

Nobody needs to know you’re ignoring the bread basket. Busy yourself chatting, laughing, or wildly gesturing about how Alexa once tried to order 400 pounds of pasta by mistake. Distraction is your ally.

6.  Dessert Without Drama

If the group orders tiramisu or cannoli, you can:

  • Share a dessert with a friend (they’ll be relieved too)
  • Sip a black coffee or an herbal tea while they indulge
  • Or be the hero who says, “Let’s split one — just a bite to taste!” Instant cool points, no deprivation drama.

🎉 Conclusion: You Ate Smart, You Had Fun, Nobody Noticed

You didn’t preach.

You didn’t make a scene.

You had a blast and woke up feeling energized, not bloated and googling “emergency juice cleanse.”

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