Numb–Crave–Crash Cycle
Understand the modern craving loop.
Recognizing the Loop Without Interrupting It
You recognize the loop
without interrupting it.
Observation completes
the recognition phase.
Nothing must change yet.
The circle remains intact,
and urgency fades.
Close recognition gently with DojoWell.
Explore DojowellFrom Art to Science
Articles exploring the psychology behind these patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just "watch" my loops without trying to change them?
Yes. This is "Recognition Without Intervention." In the model, simply seeing a loop for what it is—naming its start, middle, and end—is a form of structural completion. You don't always have to force a change. Sometimes, the act of gentle recognition is enough to close the "awareness phase" of the loop. This reduces the pressure on the Status & Control system and allows change to happen naturally through increased coherence.
Why is it helpful to recognize a loop without forcing it to stop?
Forcing change often triggers a Threat response, which creates internal conflict and reinforces the loop. Recognition, however, is a "Safety Signal." It tells your brain that you are aware of what is happening. This awareness begins to "de-automate" the behavior. By closing the recognition phase gently, you reclaim your agency without the exhaustion of a constant internal battle against your own biology.