The Fast

My friend and I are doing a fast this weekend. Being the Virgo that she is, she planned it out completely. She did research and really thought about what she wanted to cleanse both spiritually and emotionally. Me, I just did what she suggested and figured I'd see how I felt.

I had done a fast when I was in high school for three days when I did Outward Bound. It was pretty intense because I was on my "solo". A "solo" is essentially a Vision Quest only we got to bring a journal with us. I was on my own small island in the middle of Maine and contemplated something. I'm not sure what exactly since I was only 14. The only real memory I have of it is that other people in my Outward Bound group were on islands all around me. I could not see them but could hear them banging on the trees because they could not take the silence. They could not stand being alone so long. I really like the silence. I've liked being alone that long. I could have stayed longer.

As I enter day two of my fast, I am surprised by how much harder it is than I thought it would be. Today I feel really good (although my upstairs neighbor is making pancakes!) but yesterday I was riddled with headaches! I felt better after I had my miso soup and seaweed "dinner". Gatorade was suggested by a friend of mine who does these often and it has been really helpful. I do feel like I can make it through today. I was starting to have doubts but I think I can do it. Plus, I can feel the beneficial effects. I feel like my system is cleaning itself out which is good.

Why am I doing this? Well, I am really into pushing myself out of my comfort zone. It is a big identity thing for me. I knew it would be hard and I was curious to see how I would react to it. Also, I have been resorting back to my unhealthy eating ways. (I am not sure why exactly. I should think about it.) I was getting that sluggish feeling I get from eating poorly over too long a period of time. And I was drinking more than I like to. That always gives me pause.

Last night I went to see The Cat Empire at Spiegeltent. Apparently they are one of the biggest bands in Australia! They are a good time though I am not sure if they are the kind of band I would come home and listen to. This was a Beebs executed affair (thanks for the free tix!) and I was excited to see the Spiegeltent before it left the city. It started really late and though I was having a great time, I had to call it at night at 2am (when there was clearly more partying to be done). Going out on a fast is great because I never really knew just how much money you spend on liquor! If it was a usual night, I would have had a drink with dinner and a drink at the venue and taken a cab home! I had a seltzer with lime and felt fine. I was tired but at 2am in cute shoes, I think I would have been tired whether I was on a fast or not.

Tomorrow I'll try to think about what I want I learned, what I wanted to cleanse. For now, I'm just seeing how I feel.