Friday ~ Week 2
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
~ Carl Rogers
Good morning, lovely and happy Friday…
Let’s begin with some conscious breathing and softening ~ some humming or bees breath, some gentle neck rolls… dropping into your body as you let your worries and thoughts drift away for now.
Today is the first day of our (four day) “inward bound weekend” ~ yes, I know technically the weekend begins tomorrow and you are more than likely going to start your liquid fast tomorrow or Sunday, but today is where it all starts. While in many ways today will be a day of preparation, it is in itself a day of tending ~ gentle food, self care, kind inner dialogue.
This week we’ve been practicing saying “thank you” and “I love you” to ourselves ~ experimenting with more self compassion.
As I’ve been writing and speaking these words to you (while genuinely trying to walk-my-talk and practice my preaching) I’ve been thinking a lot about how much more effective it is to approach healing (or wellness optimizing) from a place of love.
And with that, quite a profound realization came to me. (I was actually digging up weeds beneath a gentle rain, when I felt this wild “aha” and had to run inside to take some notes.)
These thoughts are still a bit work-in-progress, so bear with me ~ but it struck me that the decades when I most struggled with autoimmune stuff, were also the years when I spoke quite unkindly to myself; could barely accept a compliment and; (unsurprisingly) many of my relationships at that time mirrored that lack of gentleness. It’s fair to say that I wasn’t making nourishing choices.
The little lightbulb moment I had yesterday was this: what if my body and immune system were constantly responding as though there were some kind of threat or enemy present! (And as such, put up this massive inflammation as protection!)
Was my body protecting itself from me?
I have long thought about that idea that our bodies really want us to be well, and across these last two healing decades, I have welcomed much more kindness (from myself and others… also my friend Nettie taught me to simply say “thank you” if complimented, which now I always do). I can’t help but wonder if allowing all this self care + good nutrition, paired with kindness to myself (thank you, I love you)... has helped bring the inflammation down?
Maybe this is what happens when 37 trillion cells receive messages of safety, kindness, appreciation, rest, nourishment, laughter and love?
As I said, this is a thought-in-progress, there are flip sides to this of course ~ it might suggest that we “create” our illness with negative self-talk, which is definitely not where I am going with this… but I do believe that when we speak sweetly to ourselves, we can let our whole being know that it’s safe and that we lower our defenses.
So with that in mind, what if we all commit to step into this inward bound “weekend” with the most loving intentions. What if we really show up for ourselves these next few days ~ creating the safest, loveliest, gentlest, and most calm environment (regardless of where we are or whether we have to work, or care for others, or are just very busy…)
Even if this simply means thinking and saying kind words in soothing tones, stopping to do some bees breaths, taking in greenery and beauty for your eyes… while continually reminding yourself you are safe, all is well and you are loved… “it’s ok, sweetheart, you got this”.
Note, if you are thinking “well I actually don’t speak to myself unkindly” ~ this is not simply the absence of negative self-talk but really intentionally inviting in loving, sweet and language. And see what happens. (The very worst thing that could happen is nothing).
With that, some practical prompts ~
24 hour prep for liquid fast: One full day without legumes, nuts and meat before liquid fasting. Instead focus on good fats, rainbow rich veggies with high fiber and lots of warm water/herbal tea. Even if you aren't planning to liquid fast, this will still be a good digestive rest.
Embrace Emotions Without Judgment: Allow any feelings that arise to simply be there. Observe, linger, and “ride the wave,” even if it feels uncomfortable. Emotions are naturally transient ~ by letting them breathe, we prevent them from settling anywhere in our physical body. Remember, even the most uncomfortable feelings WILL pass.
“Dredge the Pond”: This process of clearing away that which no longer serves (clutter, habits, limiting beliefs…) can be messy and a little bit uncomfortable, but it’s so rewarding.
Beginner’s Mind: Even if you’re familiar with inward-bound practices, approach this experience with curiosity.
Practical Preparations:
~ Refresh your bed sheets, towels, pajamas, napkins and rags.
~ Let your loved ones know about your plans, especially if it affects shared spaces or schedules. If you’ll be solo, you might wish to reach out to one (non-judgemental) person letting them know your plans.
~ Movement snacks, outside time, plan activities that keep you joyfully engaged.
Nourishing Tips:
~ Keep drinking warm water throughout your fast.
~ Add lemon, lime, or a splash of apple cider vinegar to broths, herbal teas and green juice to enhance the flavors and draw out more nutrients.
~ Here are some wonderful soup recipes, you may like to enjoy some of these as book-ends to your liquid fast (or in place of a liquid fast).
Mindful Fasting:
Approach your liquid fast with a mindset of nourishing your body by giving it a well-deserved rest. Remember, fasting is a nourishing choice and shouldn’t be approached with a mindset of depravity.
Loving Reminders:
Legs up the wall, natural light for your eyes, bees breath/humming, meditation, stretching, journaling.
Foot Yoga ~
I really recommend using this weekend to connect with your hardworking feet. Go barefoot as much as possible. Soak and massage your feet. Try this foot yoga class.
Chinese medicine herbal foot soak
I wish you a lovely beginning to this adventure.
Remember that you are a fabulous, radical, rebellious and resilient up-stream swimming wellness warrior!
And you deserve this.
With so much love and joy,
Sacha xxx
Google Doc with information on our inward-bound weekend.
Here, also you will find some thoughts on journaling.
I haveshared lots of good stuff here with you about fasting and letting go.
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