So, a small update on the status of my resolutions/life changes.

I have successfully taken my vitamins almost every day.  I have begun most days with warm water and lemon.  I still don’t like it.  But it’s growing on me.  Perhaps my kidneys are a fan?  Maybe I’ll think of it that way.  I have tried to take better care of my skin (all my skin, not just my face and neck).  I still find moisturizing tedious.  But then I remind myself that it’s the biggest organ of the body, and that it deserves just as much TLC as my digestive track, my kidneys and all the other organs that benefit from the various things I try to do on a daily basis.

The man and I began Lent with the vow of abstaining from meat and alcohol.  A few days ago we made a commitment to reduce our gluten intake (we think of it as the 90% gluten-free diet).  I always hate admitting it, but I do feel better when we don’t drink and when my diet is very plant-based.  I will never enjoy raw veganism — I just really don’t like raw veggies.  And having experienced dehydrated foods I will pass on those as well (when they re-hydrate in your stomach/intestine, it is the most uncomfortable feeling in the world.  Like the worst bloating you’ve ever experienced in your life).  But stuffed peppers and zucchini pasta, and caprese salads and portobello caps and green smoothies?  I can get down with that stuff.  And we haven’t given up fish.  Or dairy (sacrilege I say! …. although I do understand the benefit of giving up dairy.  Unfortunately).

I have tried to limit my social media usage and have been — fairly — successful.  Some days are better than others.  Say — sitting in a waiting room with nothing to do?  Yes, social media makes an appearance.  But on regular days, when I’m working and cooking and swimming, etc etc.  I don’t always get to Instagram or Facebook.  Twitter however, is still on my phone.

Having revisited my resolutions for this year, I have already fallen woefully short.  BUT, there are things I’ve done that aren’t on the resolutions list.  So it almost (not really) counterbalances it.  I have not begun learning Spanish yet.  I have not played my keyboard.  And I have not been hugely successful with beginning each day by saying “Today will be a great day.”  But — I have consistently tried to treat my body with more kindness, and I am working on making healthy life choices in regards to diet, exercise and the types of products I am using.  (No, I will not give up my grapefruit Neutrogena face wash. No matter how many bad things are in it.  I love it.  And that’s that.)

Like the tortoise taught us, slow and steady wins the race.  We just bought a house.  My business is growing.  I’ve had shingles.  At thirty-five.  As long as every day I try my very best — to eat well, to do my job well, to treat people with kindness, to treat myself with kindness, to love my puppy and my family and my friends, to Thank God for John — well, that’s all I can really do, right?

Oh yeah, and sometimes I just need to give myself a break and forgive myself.  That one is tough.