February Focus: Day One
I began a juice fast yesterday. The thought to do so just popped into my head last week. I haven’t been feeling great about my food choices lately, so I decided this was as good a time as any to give myself a formal reset. $200 later, 30 bottles of juice arrived at my doorstep. So here I am, day two of nothing but liquid fruits and veggies six times a day.
It’s not so bad. Manageable. The juice at least tastes good. And I know I’ll eat solid foods one of these days. Though I have to admit, my mouth began watering like crazy when I saw this TV ad during the show this morning. But I’ve already started this five-day journey, I may as well finish it. I never do that for literally anything else I begin, so it’ll be nice to feel like I’m at least heading towards a finish line.
I always dread starting things. I kind of dreaded starting this challenge, setting myself a lofty goal of four short stories with seven days to write each one. It’s not anxiety stopping me, it’s pure laziness. I’d rather spend my time doing nothing rather than making a contribution. But I’m not looking at the bigger picture. I’m just too focused on the hurdles I’ve placed on the straightaway to even think I could even place in this race.
I have to remember all the preparations I’ve made for this. I’m reading books about writing. I’ve got books of prompts. And I’ve realized that it’s entirely possible to bust out a flash short story in twenty minutes with days upon days of sweetening ahead. It’s just about getting my fingers typing. Just like I took that first drink on Wednesday without questioning. I began. I jumped in. The starter pistol went off in my head and I had no choice but to go. Sometimes it seems I’m so focused on getting set that I don’t even realize the sprint is in motion.
And although sometimes I begin things spur of the moment, like opting to consume only liquid for five days, at least I put my plan into action. Once I’m in something, I’m here for the long haul. The next leg of this journey is to work on keeping up the brisk pace I’ve set for myself. No “going back” to bad habits once I’ve hit my goal. Isn’t it time I run myself into a higher division? I can get there. It might just be better to begin when I have a little something more than just juice in the tank. I don’t need to fall for an infomercial again.
One Comment