Something I thought I’d never say… (but it’s going on record anyway).
It is so easy to become distracted, overwhelmed and drained. I bet that you are actually intimately acquainted with all three, maybe even simultaneously. I certainly am, which is why I decided to embark on a cleanse in January with a group of friends. While we each had different reasons for participating in the cleanse – the general premise was the same – we all wanted to feel something different.
I have big plans for 2016. But in order to achieve those plans, I knew I needed an energetic reset. I need to become wholly embodied and feel as vibrant as humanly possibly.
Which is why I embarked on this cleanse, even though I’ve failed at every other cleanse I’ve ever attempted. But the stakes were higher this time, I was determined not to fail, so I thought this time would be different.
Well it was and it wasn’t.
I managed to last more than three weeks without dessert, two weeks without coffee and a week without a glass of wine. Being the observant person you are, you’ll notice that I basically gave in to weakness every week. Yup. I failed at this cleanse too. And with each slip up, I felt physically and mentally out of sorts. A run in with bread literally puffed my hands and feet up, and my first cup of coffee made my head spin and my mood spin out of control. In contrast to that, the periods where I stuck to the cleanse, my moods were more stable, I felt much less anxiety and my ability to focus was heightened. Overall my head was clear, and I felt truly present, wholly embodied and much less reactive to life’s circumstances. So why am I sharing this with you when I normally write about careers and mindfulness?
Because it was through failing that I learned the most. That I came to understand the power of being truly and vibrantly embodied. That I came to see the true necessity of nurturing your body and mind so you can achieve your goals.
Which leads me to the thing I thought I’d never say. I don’t like the way chocolate chip cookies or wine make me feel. I am a very healthy person. But even I have my vices. In fact I strongly believe in having vices. And for years those vices have been wine and chocolate chip cookies. During the first week of the cleanse I missed them both dearly. Until I cheated. And realized that these vices detract from my goals.It’s often true in life, that we learn more from what doesn’t go well as we do from what does.
And so in January I gained a lot from my failure.
Cheating showed me:
That your ability to be resilient in the face of stress is dependent on what you put in your body. Down to the very last bite.
If you want to achieve your goals, you have to have clarity of thought.
How important it is to commit to being fully embodied every day. That it is through this embodiment that we find vibrancy.
That I don’t have time to waste feeling foggy, drained or weighed down- and that there is something I can do about it.
That creativity and opportunity exist on the other side of distraction, overwhelm and energy lack.
That small tumbles are ok- if you really pay attention to them.
Cheating showed me that it’s time to choose new vices. Vices that support my dreams and goals rather than detract from them.
That true change comes from ruthless dedication to your goal.
If you have big goals set for 2016 – then it’s time to take stock of how you are set up to achieve them.
Have you put habits in place that support your goals? Are your vices hindering your ability to achieve them? Maybe it’s time to try a cleanse. It doesn’t have to be a no carb, no sugar, no caffeine or alcohol cleanse like I did – maybe you just need to cut out Facebook, or someone who isn’t a supporter of your goals. Cut out whatever makes you feel distracted, overwhelmed and drained.