As I was getting ready this morning I channeled high school Christyna. I turned on some Fall Out Boy (Folie a Deux, to be exact!) and bopped around my bathroom as I brushed my teeth and put on mascara.
I was mentally preparing myself for the day by spiraling up. A concept explained beautifully in the book Body Kindness by Rebecca Scritchfield, RD. I started my morning with water, something I don’t drink enough of even though it really does make me feel better. I did my morning skincare routine and listened to music that makes me nostalgic for poorly light clothing stores and overpowering body spray. I asked myself, what would 16 year-old Christyna need? The answer:
Permission.
At the high school, we were feeding the juniors snacks to take with them during the break during their ACT (a standardized test to assess college readiness). I know for a fact, I did not eat before I took the ACT. I have a nervous gut, and I avoid food when I’m anxious.
I can promise you I got hungry during that exam. I’m a human just like you. When I was in high school, our lunch ladies weren’t there encouraging us to eat breakfast and grabs snacks before going in. I think I might have taken a snack had someone given me permission.
I desperately needed that. Permission to fuel my body. Permission to take care of myself.
I looked those teens in the face. I saw so many of them light up when I gave them permission to get a snack. To grab two or three snacks. (Your brain needs a lot of carbs to take a test that long!). Their faces when I told them that they could do it.
So I’m going to tell you the same thing.
You have permission. Permission to fuel yourself to do the things you love. Permission to rest when you need it. Permission to say NO. You have the permission you need to do what it takes to take care of yourself.
They don’t teach that in high school. They don’t teach you how to rest well. They don’t teach you how to love yourself. They don’t teach the real reasons you should fuel your body. Don’t just eat to work out. Eat because it tastes good. Eat because you want to enjoy a concert with your friends. Eat because your grandma made your favorite meal. Eat because you’re not yourself when you’re hungry.
There's so much to experience in this life. Don't do it on an empty stomach. Nourish yourself. However that looks for you. Share on XFinally, I just want to tell you that you are enough. You are valued. You are worthy. You are loved. Just the way you are.
Today is the best day to change your life,
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