My mom’s time here from India has been filled with precious moments, especially sharing meals she lovingly prepares. I found myself slipping back into an old pattern – choosing comfort and ease over maintaining my healthy habits. I spent lazy afternoons watching television with her, enjoying her cooking, and gradually my physical fitness declined. I gained about 10 pounds these past months. Ideally, I could have maintained my routine while still enjoying our time together, but knowing this doesn’t diminish my choice to fully embrace these precious moments with her. Time like this doesn’t come easily.
While I’ve cherished every bite and moment with her, I notice how naturally my healthy habits have drifted. In the past, I’ve experienced how amazing it feels to live without sugar – the mental clarity, deeper meditation, more sustained energy. But I never documented those experiences, never tracked how these changes affected me day by day.
Now, with a few weeks left of her stay, I’ve decided to begin with something specific and achievable – a two-week journey without sugar. Why sugar? Because I know from experience that reducing sugar helps clear my mind and lifts my energy. This feels like a gentle first step back toward taking care of myself, while still being able to enjoy my mom’s healthy, home-cooked meals.
I’ve put up a white board in my living room where I’ll track each day – what I eat, how I feel, my water intake. Each night, I’ll take a picture of it before bed and add it to my journal. This isn’t just about tracking; it’s about understanding how food affects everything – my meditation practice, my ability to be present, the mental fog I’ve been feeling. I’m curious to see how different choices might shift these subtle aspects of daily life.
I’m taking it slow – starting with regular walks before returning to strengthening exercises, listening to what my heart and body need. Just letting my body remember what movement feels like. During these two weeks, I can still enjoy my mom’s healthy cooking while gradually shifting away from sweets. The timing feels right, and I know from past experiences that when I truly commit to something, I can stay with it.
After my mom returns to India, I’ll be working from home, with my husband busy at his new job. I’m thinking about how to create a routine that works for me during those quiet days alone.
At the end of these two weeks, I’ll share another reflection – a detailed look at what changed, what I learned, and how it felt along the way. Not just the physical changes, but the subtle shifts in energy, clarity, and presence that I’ve glimpsed before but never fully documented. This journey isn’t just about giving up sugar – it’s about understanding how our daily choices shape our experience of life, our ability to be present, and our connection to ourselves.
If you’ve ever thought about making a change in your own life – whether it’s about food, habits, or simply being more present – perhaps you’ll find something helpful in my journey. Sometimes the smallest shifts can open up new ways of experiencing our daily life. I invite you to observe your own patterns, to notice what nourishes you, what brings you clarity. Each journey is unique, and I’d love to hear about your experiences if you’d like to share. Sometimes hearing each other’s stories helps us understand our own journey better.
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