Late summer is usually the time that we get a little bit organized. This can have a lot to do with the body. Aka people love the idea of a ‘detox’.
When someone asks me my thoughts on ‘cleanses’, my responses tend to be: 1. The body is built to process on its own, so it’s already doing that work for you 2. Typically any restriction is bad vibes and unsustainable 3. Maybe if we lived in the most relaxed, pre-industrial world, it would work well to experiment with temporary elimination – but because we live in a world that asks a lot from us, I typically recommend *REST*.
Meanwhile, I have been digesting a lot of *optimization* content. It all started with Huberman, who I began to listen to while doing laundry and who kind of mesmerizes me with his voice. Andrew Huberman, who is a professor of neurobiology at Stanford, makes the podcast Huberman Lab. His work aims to deconstruct the nuances of body and brain, looking at how to best use our biological resources to be well. I like what he has to say about meditation, but his morning routine stresses me out. I used to be afraid of him because he looks so much like a Chad, but honestly the man (though not un-robotic) has some interesting things to say. More on him another time.
On top of THAT I have had a bit of information overload from TikTok, where my algorithm seems to be obsessed with telling me absolutely contrasting pieces of information on how to live. It has begun to feel more absurd than ever. Intermittent fasting will change your life, but NOT if you’re menstruating, but also ESPECIALLY if you’re menstruating. Lift weights but actually no girl it’s pilates! No! It’s walking. Adrenal mushroom gummies will restore all your focus naturally but also you won’t feel a difference and should just buy Omega-3 supplements instead. I… give up.
Here is something: life doesn’t have to be like this. It’s hard to rest when you’re always trying to figure out what to do. Many resources are well-intentioned but are selling some sort of aspiration, if not total salvation. A lot of stuff works, and God bless! But the thing is, we all have terribly different bodies and brains so there are few universal answers. One thing we do share: when the brain gets very busy, the nervous system kicks in with cortisol, our stress hormone. That hormone tightens our muscles, moves the brain quicker, moves blood away from the digestive system. The more we worry about doing things right (or “optimally”), the less we’re able to feel good right now.
I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CHANGE THE WORLD, BUT I CAN KIND OF CHANGE MY BRAIN
Aka not waste time getting overwhelmed by the media I am consuming. Does anyone else feel this way?? I feel like yes. Let me know.
It leads me to the question: what actually works? At least, for me? I am over all the information and curious about literally what helps.
In response to all the optimization info, I have on-purpose, leaned into some over-indulgence of late. Fun! Til it’s not. Sometimes the world is generous and gives us a dose of medicine. I have, funnily enough, found myself this week with the time and space that I usually think a person needs to reset. Access to nature, rest, and quiet. So I’ve decided: it’s Monastic Time. Off to find center :)
I want to use myself as a guinea pig (cute) to see if a myriad of these practices work. I’ll write it down and keep you posted. Here’s what I will do. Let’s see what it does! Or if it does much! At! All!
-drink a gallon of water a day (this is huge for me because I usually drink like… 3 cups lol.) I feel like I will not actually do this, but perhaps that is a terrible attitude.
-morning meditation (guided or unguided, I’m letting it rock)
-sunshine first thing in the AM (and I will take my dumbass vitamin D)
-no alcohol (likely will use Love Island to reset my dopamine levels)
-movement every day. Sigh!
-minimize sugar and dairy (my beautiful addictions)
-magnesium before bed (excited for weird dreams!)
There’s a profound cognitive dissonance here, because the above are all fun things and life is short so why not have FUN! But also? It would be nice to feel a little better.
If it gets not fun, I’ll stop. Here’s something I am honestly curious about: can a person experiment with lifestyle without triggering restriction? Where does a person locate the boundary between soothing and unnecessary restraint? Where is the line between boredom and liberation?
Wish me luck <3 hope I don’t get bored lol
XOXO