My Latest Cleanse & Why I’m Doing It -

It’s not a juice cleanse, or any other cleanse that sounds like cruel and unusual punishment. Yes, I’ve done those, but this is not about that.

This is about going back to the basics, re-grounding, and honoring my body and my health in every way possible. I need a physical, mental, and spiritual reset. Full stop. And to get to the good stuff, you’ve gotta clear out what’s taking up space and no longer serving you.

So what am I doing?

1. 21-day elimination diet

Let me be clear, I do not subscribe to “diet culture.” Because the concept of “dieting” is usually rooted in deprivation, which I never advocate for. You can’t heal a body you hate, and you can’t solve a problem from a place of desperation and despair.

Here’s what I do subscribe to (and I’ll shout this from the rooftops!): your body is a temple, treat it as such. Constantly consuming what makes you feel like sh*t is not self-care. It’s just not. Sometimes we have to shut down the intake of crap so we can get out of the cyclical trap it creates.

This cleanse is not about calories because it’s not about how much you eat – it’s about what you eat. It’s centered around temporarily eliminating foods that have a tendency to cause inflammation. I love it for two reasons: 1) it helps you push the toxins and sludge (it’s like a spring cleaning for your system!), and 2) it slowly adds different foods back in, so you can figure out if there are any that you’re sensitive to.

2. Media fast

The stress scroll is so real, darling! Anyone else get on social media with the intention of “a 10-minute check-in” … and then an hour later you’re in a scrolling spiral and even more stressed out? Not to mention, you somehow managed to waste plenty of time. Oops. That’s been me more than I care to admit lately, and I’ve had enough of it. So, I’m pulling the plug for a bit. Literally.

Don’t worry, you’ll still hear from me, and if you’d like, you can still get in touch with me! This is one of my favorite parts about having a team – I have friends who can step in! I decided a while back that I wanted to be able to focus on my blog because writing is the part that brings me joy. So, I knew I needed to outsource other platforms.

If you’re part of my email list, you’ve already heard about Natalie and Tessah, who help me out with emails and social media. They are so gifted at what they do, and partnering with them has allowed me to be much more frequent on the blog (yay for weekly posts!). I’m grateful that they are also there for support when I need to step away from the digital rat race for a moment.

3. More personal development

This cleanse isn’t just about moving stuff out; it’s also about pouring into myself. In real ways.

My word of the year in 2022 was “presence” (you can read the blog post about it HERE). The cleanse is about honoring that. More time with loved ones, better focus on work, deeper creative time, bolder prayer. From getting organized to working on my fitness, I’m devoting time and resources to developing my systems and myself in new ways. I’m excited to share the results!

And why am I doing it?

1. Because it’s not too late.

There are still a couple of months left of 2023. And I want to maximize them, but I can’t do that when I’m not at my best. So, I’m using this time to break down barriers, refocus, and recommit to my goals…all while physically, mentally, and emotionally recharging, so I can make the most of what’s to come.

2. Because I don’t need (or want) to be dependent on temporary, external gratification.

I’m in a place right now where when I’m stressed, I reach for sugar. Tried…where’s my caffeine? Sluggish and sad…how about a movie and ice cream? Drained at work…time for another “emotional support latte” (yes, I did in fact coin that, and my colleagues now openly refer to my Starbucks-fix that way). Long day…sit on the couch and scroll Instagram.

Sometimes we can fall into habits that don’t serve us…and we have to break them. That’s the only way out.

I don’t have anything against the occasional treat, or the concept of comfort food, or using social media. The problem isn’t the thing itself, it’s how that thing is being used…to try to fill a void. None of these things actually make me happier because they only offer a temporary fix…and then usually leave me feeling worse.

Hitting pause on the stuff that only offers temporary satisfaction means I’m more likely to lean on what actually fills me up. So, it’ll go something like this, instead: Stressed…meditate. Tired…sleep. Sluggish and sad…call a girlfriend. Drained at work…recharge with creativity.

And the very best part of this is that when I quiet the noise of the world around me and stop using artificial means to fill the gaps, that open space yields enduring fulfillment (like, the really good kind). It helps me really tune in, instead of trying to drown out what I’m feeling. It forces me to be available to possibilities, instead of sinking into dependencies. And when I get comfortable with the quiet – heck, maybe even lean into the awkward silence – God comes through so clearly. Partly, because I’m spending more time with him, but also because I’m not lost in the chaos.

3. Because I deserve it.

I deserve to feel my best. I am worthy of that. Period.

This isn’t about less, it’s about more. More energy, more peace, more confidence, more time for the people and activities that bring out the best in me. As we all know, there are only so many hours in a day, and we all get exactly 24…no more and no less. Well, I want to spend more of them on what fills me up, which means I have to spend less on what doesn’t. And let’s be real, when I’m prioritizing myself and my health, it’s a real confidence boost.

After taking a quick break, your girl is just about ready to dive back into dating (you heard it here first!). Since you reap what you sow, I only date when I can do it well. Meaning, I need to be super present. Dating is not somewhere we go when we don’t know where we’re at or what we want. So, I’m taking this time to get extra clear on all of that. And it’s the perfect opportunity to really show up for myself, so I can be my most confident self!