So the ten days has come and gone and it was a wonderful period of focused reflection and attentive loving intuitive self-care. And some parts were better than others, as you would expect.
Let me be the first to say, 10 days was ambitious under the best of circumstances, but over a long holiday weekend.. can I just admit that I didn’t even glance at the calendar when I set this into motion? When I woke up one day ready for change, I made a plan and began. Which sometimes is a really good thing. But when making longer range intentions, maybe not so good. This 10-day plan needed more, uh… planning. The juicing “experts” out there.. whoever they are, typically recommend that you prep before a detox or a cleanse for at least a few days prior. I skipped that part. For better or worse, when I was ready to go, I just wanted to do it.
One thing I always find interesting about life in general, is that the parts you think are going to be most exciting, or rewarding or whatever.. aren’t always the ones that are. I thought the physical transformation of the juicing was going to be the main event. But that wasn’t really “it” for me. What I most loved, was the space that the juicing created for me to blog every day and to reflect on the themes that were wanting my attention. I absolutely loved my end of the day writing time. I loved the thoughts that led up to them, seeing the thread of the theme start to percolate during the day and unfold and take shape. It made me want to consider a daily blogging practice for a bit longer maybe. I am still considering that.
The juice fast was definitely too long because of the Memorial Day Weekend. I had not even looked at the calendar and so was not prepared for my conflicts around socializing with my husband and family and wanting to be present for them and flexible in my eating choices.. as opposed to tied to the juicer at home. It was a gorgeous sunny summery weekend after weeks of gloomy dark days, and we went out to restaurants and had family over for cookouts and it was just right. But it wasn’t juice, and I did not continue the juicing past the 7th day other than my morning juice.
I had some conflict about that, and especially because this was something I did publicly. I also wish I had been able to go off the juice in a more gradual way, but things didn’t go that way. Not this time. And I am making my peace with that and with the situations that were part of the last few days.. some very positive, some very hard. Life is life. And I am imperfect. And no amount of juice will change that, as I knew before I started and know still.
I loved the feeling of drinking juice and taking a break from eating. It’s a light easy place to be overall. Simple is always good for me.. and I mean always. Any way that I can simplify my life and my ways of doing things tends to allow more creativity in other ways, more reflection, more presence for relationships.. it’s always a good direction to move towards.
I am still… digesting.. the experience. Still reflecting on the choices I made and how I feel about them. Still working on forgiving myself for not doing it perfectly and not keeping the 10 day commitment I made so cavalierly at the outset. I am trying to honor the successes.. 7 days of juicing is still pretty damn good.. and not let the ending color it all.. What I know is that there are such poignant powerful lessons in anything and everything we do. And honoring those with compassion is always a good thing. The most important thing in the end.
With love from my heart to yours-
So.. what would YOU like to shift in your life? Is it a way of eating? Another nagging pattern that you’d like to bring some light and love to? Whether it’s an intensive intuitive one time consultation, or a more extended way of collaborating, I have 25 years of training and experience and savvy that can absolutely get you where you want to go… my gorgeous clients attest to this time after time. Email me and let’s see if we’re a good match.
Catherine Mills says
Thanks for sharing your experience, Lisa, I enjoyed ‘hearing from you’ every day. Congratulations on the 7 day fast, that is fantastic! I was wondering how the long weekend would go, was thinking that I could not do a fast during that time. Glad you made peace with the reality. Yes, life is life, and we are not perfect. As always, Lisa, you inspire me, and I am grateful for your inspiration. xox
Lisa says
HI Cath… the blogging is a nice way to reach out and feel more connected.. happy to know that you are out there reading, thank you! Making peace with everything is the key to being happier.. finding compassion in all of it lets us keep moving forward and evolving. Thanks for your kind words, Cath.. Love to you- lisa
Sue Burness says
Lisa, thank you for your honest account. Wow, I SO admire your commitment to daily blogging! When I was younger, I fasted once for 10 days. It was a profoundly spiritual experience. Right now, I feel moved to nurture my body and detox to some degree, but fasting doesn’t feel like the right way to go. So I’m “gentling” myself into it by having one Green drink a day. Already feel better physically (after four days) so we’ll see where it leads.
Lisa says
Hi Sue! The daily blogging was so wonderful.. I am missing that and thinking about whether to restructure another blogging commitment soon. Fasting sounds hard but I suspect it let in lots of other experiences.. so interesting would love to hear more about it. I love small steps.. one green drink sounds just right particularly because you are paying attention intuitively and you can’t go wrong with that kind of gentle guidance. Better leads to better.. let me know if I can help.. love to you, Lisa
Jessica says
Lisa, you’re so right — 7 days IS pretty damn good. And it’s so good to hear that (despite your anticipation) the physical changes were not the be-all and end-all for you.
Lisa says
Jessica, thank you for saying that.. I don’t feel like there was any failure involved.. it evolved naturally and I felt great about juicing for 7 days.. I loved all of it! And yes, was happy that the body piece was not the biggest part.. I got so much out of that week. Drinking my green juice as I write.. still a central part of my nourishment and daily rituals. Love to you, Lisa
Teresa says
Lisa, thank you so much for sharing this even while you are still digesting the experience (love this, by the way).
You did what many people would not – 7 days of juicing is fabulous! Celebrate, be kind and gentle to yourself. Realize that sometimes it is more important to be in the life we are in than steadfastly stick to an arbitrary goal.
If you liked it enough and decide to try it again for the full 10 days, I bet you’ll look at a calendar first. And that’s awesome. And if you don’t do it again, that’s just fine. Do what your heart desires. It always knows.
Hugs and butterflies,
~Teresa~
Lisa says
Teresa.. yes thank you.. totally feeling great about all of it and I agree about arbitrary goals.. I am all about the intuitive wisdom that leads us where we need to go and making choices that best suit us in the day. Family and friends and being present in those couple of days won out over how many days I could juice which felt less essential in those moments.. it was the right choice, I was happier choosing what I did. And yes.. clearly, lessons learned. Hearts and intuitivebodies definitely know..
Love a like-minded picsiechick.. xox Lisa
Julie Geigle says
I have done detoxification programs in the past and 10 days is pretty long – I think 7 is good I prefer 3. I love the part about simplifying. The best part about fasting is not having to worry about what you’re going to cook but I am curious…how did your family fare? Did you still cook meals for them or were they on their own or maybe you don’t cook anyway so that wasn’t an issue? Just curious. My family hates it when I fast.
Lisa says
Hi Julie..My family fared fine.. my boys are 17 and 19 and my husband cooked or the kids rustled up their own meals.. I like em independent! I did not cook..laughing that you family hates it.. mine was indifferent, other than the fridge being overfull with vegetables for the juice! I like the idea of 3 days here and there.. more manageable and nice to intersperse as needed. love to you- Lisa
Meg says
Wow 7 days!!! I have heard from many the mental clarity is what is amazing. But I haven’t had the guts to do it. Maybe I could do breakfast and lunch. You’ve got my wheels turning at any rate. Thank you for so honestly sharing with us!
Lisa says
Hi Meg! It’s not the only way.. I am a big believer in baby steps for most of us most of the time, despite this latest venture with the juice which was just something I needed for myself for various reasons. I love taking small steps that build momentum in an organic way.. Lots of ways to go about this so check in with yourself and see what feels best.. always happy to make recommendations if you are interested in a complimentary consult. Love to you, Lisa
Claire says
Hi Lisa I was interested in your experiences, especially about the blogging – I did Postaday2011 with WordPress where I posted every day for over a year and I really, really enjoyed the experience, I explored issues and topics I would never have thought about. You have to be creative when you need new topics. It was a challenge as well as being a lot of fun. I’ve been propelled to get into fiction writing as a result which is now taking up my time in an evening; but I know I’ll go back to blogging in the future. I hope you get to do more blogging as I really think it helps to be able to release your thoughts onto the screen and connect with others who feel the same way.
Lisa says
hi Claire- That’s impressive about your daily blogging for a year.. part of me would love to try that.. those commitments can be very exciting even when they ask us to dig deep. Sounds like writing is part of who you are now…I agree that blogging is a beautiful way to release and connect.. it’s become a meaningful part of my work too.
Love to you.. Lisa
Stephanie says
You are WAY better than I am. I did a juice cleanse for 3 days and barely made it. I’m impressed, too, that you used it as an opportunity to connect with your writing. Congrats on the 7 days!
Lisa says
Hey Stephanie.. not sure about “better than”.. just had a specific focus and the blogging daily and other pieces helped. Thanks for the support.. If you ever want to do it again, or create a more workable sustainable plan and get the support that makes it all come together.. let’s talk.. Love, Lisa
amy zellmer says
Good for you girl!! Way to stick with you commitment! The thing I need to shift in my life, and have been working on for some time, is my fear around money. I have no idea WHAT it is or WHERE it comes from, but it’s there. I need to get clearer on it, and get over it. I am worth every penny I charge…. bring on the money!