I think fasting can be ok for some people, but only if you have a very healthy relationship with food. Growing up catholic, my mom made fasting all about thinness, which was missing the point. Lent wasn’t about sacrifice and getting close to god, it was a weight loss opportunity. I think it’s better to “fast” from other things that might be interfering with your ability to love yourself/others/god. Like every November, I fast from negativity. I try to refrain from complaining, gossip, and judgy comments. It forces me to change my mindset. If I’m thinking “traffic sucks, I’m going to be late” I reframe it to “I’m grateful to have a job, and a safe car to get me there” “omg, why is she wearing that?” Becomes “good for her for wearing what she feels confident in” “ Did you hear…?” Becomes shutting my mouth. I feel like it helps me try to be a better person and address my biases/ judgements/fatphobia than just feeling hungry, which just makes me cranky.
Thanksgiving just made it seem the natural month for gratitude. Plus, I like the alliteration of No Negativity November. Especially heading into the holiday season, with a lot of focus on food and bodies, a lot of consumption, and a lot of time with family (especially my mom, who I love, but she can be very negative and critical) It’s like a little pre holiday cleanse without all the weird juices and starving.
I think fasting can be ok for some people, but only if you have a very healthy relationship with food. Growing up catholic, my mom made fasting all about thinness, which was missing the point. Lent wasn’t about sacrifice and getting close to god, it was a weight loss opportunity. I think it’s better to “fast” from other things that might be interfering with your ability to love yourself/others/god. Like every November, I fast from negativity. I try to refrain from complaining, gossip, and judgy comments. It forces me to change my mindset. If I’m thinking “traffic sucks, I’m going to be late” I reframe it to “I’m grateful to have a job, and a safe car to get me there” “omg, why is she wearing that?” Becomes “good for her for wearing what she feels confident in” “ Did you hear…?” Becomes shutting my mouth. I feel like it helps me try to be a better person and address my biases/ judgements/fatphobia than just feeling hungry, which just makes me cranky.
I love this! How did you choose November as your month of negativity fasting?
Thanksgiving just made it seem the natural month for gratitude. Plus, I like the alliteration of No Negativity November. Especially heading into the holiday season, with a lot of focus on food and bodies, a lot of consumption, and a lot of time with family (especially my mom, who I love, but she can be very negative and critical) It’s like a little pre holiday cleanse without all the weird juices and starving.
I love it.