I think that people act using their rational and irrational thinking. I think over the course of time we come to be known them by a combination of both, but for those who know very little about us, the irrational tends to stick more often. I think this is because the crazy, irrational, fun things we do, are far more memorable than going to bed on time and getting all your work done. Yet a close friend or family member would recognize that you are studies and well rested.
One small thing that I do that acts against my own self interest is mountain unicycling. I do not do this often but when I do, there are no breaks on the unicycle and I am going down hill on a bumpy path. It would be so easy to hit a rock wrong, fall, and at the speed I would be going down these hills, break an arm. I don't consider myself a impulse actor, but I do love adrenaline. One example of this is that I love scaring myself. I took Exploring the Paranormal for Spring at Sage last year even though I am terrified of the super natural and I love watching scary movies. Liking these things does not make sense because they make me uncomfortable and scarred yet I continual do them because I get some sort of joy out of my own discomfort.
~Sahale