Crazy shit always happens, doesn’t it?
Don’t tell me it’s just me because I’m pretty sure it isn’t.
After attempting a 30-day juice fast I made it to 15 days. I made it through 8+ hour road trips, a friend’s wedding, dinners out in the country, three Christmas dos and countless meetups. After getting through all that, I broke it. Why?
Why I broke it, and what I learned from it will help you create a fresh start no matter where you are, what you’re doing, or what you want.
It all started on my way back to Melbourne when my car overheated. I was in the middle of nowhere about two hours out of Adelaide — farmland as far as my eyes could see. Luckily though, a beautiful human stopped to help me out and we got my car to the nearest ‘mechanic’. Yes, ‘mechanic’ in inverted commas because of the craziness that was to come…
Nothing was open because it was the day after boxing day, but this one guy happened to want the job.
I was slightly relieved but so hot, hungry and frankly dehydrated. My car was overheating and now I was too.
“How much is this going to cost?”
Long pause. “…A LOT.” He replied.
I remember thinking this was an oddly unprofessional…but my intuition was a little off so I went with it.
“How much is ‘a lot’?” I asked.
He replied with an amount, and to be ready the next day. I accepted it and went to get some water and some juice. The fast was still on.
I hate breaking promises to myself. Breaking those promises is bad for self-esteem, motivation, and health, which is why I try my best to stick to it.
But sometimes life gets in the way…
The next day my car was ready (as promised), the ‘mechanic’ gave me the keys, but then jacked up the price! I was devastated and stressed to the max! After standing up for myself, and getting ‘angry-man whiplash’, I got out of there with my car, myself and my wallet in one piece.
All seemed good — I had my water and my car was good to go. Or so I thought…
THEN, after many hours stress-free, two hours away from home my car overheats, AGAIN! By this stage I’m so over it all, I want to EAT! I pay another few hundred dollars for someone to come put water in my car, and another hour goes by and I break down again. This time I attempt to fix the problem with some success. I make it home! 12 hours after seeing angry Mr. Non-Mechanic in 35-degree heat, and all whilst fasting.
So the first thing I did was eat. Just like that, I said goodbye to my 30-day fast.
I slipped up, and I was feeling guilty about it.
Then I thought of 2018, and our overarching need for a fresh start, perfection, starting on the right foot etc. etc. all ways in which we try to perfect our way through the new year with our New Years resolutions.
We all know that for the most part people falter, fall off the bandwagon, slip up (as in my case) and miss out on the long-term results that consistency and diligence provides.
So as I sit here thinking about this, I can’t help but know that although I’ve failed to be perfect, it doesn’t mean I can’t keep going. I can start again — anyone can!
That’s what makes the difference, it’s getting up again!
Fresh starts are whatever week, day, morning, afternoon, hour, or minute we decide to do something differently. Stuff New Year’s resolutions! Real change happens now. It’s in our day-to-day.
I know right now happens to be new years… and in no way am I condemning aspirations, aspirations rock. Have them. Stick to them. And when inevitably life gets in the way, get back to them. Just do it.
Just because you slip up, doesn’t mean you give up.
Which is why I’m beginning a water fast starting today to lead into my extended juice fast. I committed myself to do the 30 days. So I’m going to see it through! I’ve done 15 days, now I will water fast for a few and juice for another 15. Got this!
Not because I need to start the new year right, although I inevitably will, but because I want to commit to myself, I want to feel great and this is what I wanted. It’s all about not giving up on yourself.
If anyone wants to join me on a juice cleanse this January, or if you have you’re own aspiration or commitment you’re starting right now, not tomorrow, now. Let me know in the comments below. Your change is my change and my change is yours. Together we can inspire each other to be better.
Lots of love to you as always, and enjoy the new year!
xx Jess