Six months ago I was a stay at home super mama. I taxied, I cooked, I cleaned, I educated my tiny trio of dictators, I supported my partner in life while he was the most unhappy I’ve ever seen and I imbibed until my foresight blurred. Day in and day out. That was a routine that became familiar since my husband’s work life fell apart. Without going into detail about how disappointing, cold, greedy and selfish corporate fucktards can be, my husband went from loving something he had a hand in building for the past fourteen years to barely being able to force himself to appear to have an ounce of interest in showing up to his micromanaged and passion-less job. It was awful.
Fast forward six months and my daily routine is unrecognizable. I took a teaching job at an alternative educational program a hundred miles from our home. I moved my family away from everything that was familiar to them and my ego-bruised husband was expected to juggle the home life while I went back to working full time. The adjustment (for everyone) was neither quick nor painless, but it was necessary. I spent many sleepless nights going over the drastic changes my family was undergoing. I worried about how it would affect my homeschooling, the close relationships I have with my children, how my husband was going to keep up with my fast-paced, and demanding supermama schedule. I worried a lot and I kept to myself. I had to be the strength my husband was struggling to find within himself. I had to control my fear and apprehension about the new-normal and maintain some normalcy for my babies. My only friend through this difficult time was me. I am not great with sharing my burdens while experiencing them. I cannot divulge and explain my vulnerabilities. Hence, I told absolutely no one we were moving. I’m fairly certain many of my friends are finding out while reading this (I’m so sorry. I suck. It’s me, not you!!) I don’t deal with difficult situations well, I guess. I internalize and move forward. I’m not saying that my way of coping with this situation has been healthy, I’m just simply stating the facts.
This drastic change took such a toll on me mentally, physically, and emotionally I feared discussing it. If I said the things I was feeling I might come undone. My ability to endure and move forward might fall apart. So instead I did what I had to do and imbibed to numb the worry infecting my thoughts. But unfortunately my demanding work schedule and equally demanding home life made it hard to focus and left me exhausted. I needed a drastic change even though I wasn’t willing to seek out a solution.
Thank Christ my sister is a persistent little ray of sunshine and she hounded me relentless to try a nutritional challenge. I must’ve said no four or five times because I was not ready to end my love affair with adult beverages. BUT my drinking cohort (aka my Dad) caved to the idea of losing some weight and happily accepted my sister’s challenge. And so did my husband. What?? Was I to drink alone while the other adults in the house were striving for a healthier, happier self? No. So I had no other option but to give in to the challenge presented before me. I figured, strength in numbers right? I CAN do this. If only to clear the fog from my mind. I was committed. Plus, my dad and husband couldn’t possibly cook their own (healthy) meals. My dad only eats food that goes in the microwave and my husband is dairy obsessed. They need me!
I’ve never dieted or cleansed or detoxed in my entire 35 years on this earth. I had no idea what I was getting in to. The first week was difficult. I had a constant headache from the coffee withdrawals, I was bloated from the excessive water intake, but I was determined to be successful. Week two brought energy, endorphins, and ecstacy. I woke up happy. I went to bed exhausted. I accomplished all the tasks set forth at work. I felt lighter, less irritable. I liked this new normal. I felt great. This new, clear, positive feeling was amazing. I was shocked at how my overall being improved. I became that annoyingly upbeat coworker you want to punch in the eye. I. Was. Hooked. This vegan, clean eating, eye-opening detox changed my life at a time I needed something like it the most. Thank you, sis! Thank you for not giving up on me and thank you for your plight in introducing people to a healthy less toxic lifestyle. You rock!
So fast forward 33 days… beyond the nutritional challenge and I’m climbing (figurative) mountains. I’m crushing it at work, I’m enjoying my family at home and I’m super proud of the personal strides I take daily. I lost inches and pounds and gained immense clarity and happiness. I feel like I can handle anything that comes my way and I implore you to strive for the same. Since life tends to catch us with a left hook when we least expect it, I am confident that I am physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared to absorb it and let life know… You hit like a bitch.
http://StephanieByrne.arbonne.com
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