Fearless Friday Reflections: From Career Switch to Food Freedom, Embracing the Journey
Happy Friday, aMigos!!
I hope everyone has had a wonderful summer so far!! I made it my business to fill my calendar with a nice balance of trips, low-key weekends, and lots of socializing since this becomes less frequent once the Fall semester begins. Though I may have had more free time these past couple of months, I did invest a good amount of it in my business (when I wasn't working my full-time job), and I feel so energized and aligned.
When I decided to apply for the Masters in Nutrition & Dietetics program at New York University back in 2019 for the Spring 2020 semester, I had no idea what was in store.
Would I get in?
How would I manage a FT job and grad school PT?
What about my social life and relationships?
What would happen to home-cooked meals?
Will I ever get “me time?”
When would I study and work on projects/papers/homework?
What about my finances- tuition, loans, bills, necessities?
What if I let these fearful thoughts deter me from pursuing the career switch that would bring me unsurmountable HAPPINESS??
The best part of life is that WE can create one we desire. We get to make it our OWN journey. We can either be victims or alchemists.
FEAR happens when we think about the unknown.
When we face our fears, reframe our thoughts, and prioritize our WHOLE self, we unlock the door to profound personal growth, empowerment, and a life of greater fulfillment.
The same holds true for our mindset around food. For most of my twenties, I was consumed by the following fearful thoughts:
Will I reach my “goal weight” on the scale?
Will I ever fit into smaller clothing again?
Will I “cheat” on my “clean diet” today?
Will I be able to meet my 5-6x/week high-intensity exercise quota?
Will this juice cleanse make me look “skinnier” on vacation?
How many calories are in this dessert?
Was I going to look bloated in that dress tomorrow?
Would there be a “healthy” option on the menu?
I can't believe I ate that heavy meal last night
If I could only lose 10lbs in one week
I mean, I could go on and on. Society has normalized these thoughts. Thinking of my time in this vicious cycle brings me mixed emotions. I spent so much time stressing about numbers, sizes, portions, restricting, depriving, fluctuating, worrying, obsessing, overexercising, and silencing my body.
Now, being on the other side of all these tormenting thoughts brought upon by diet culture and my unhealthy relationship with food is truly a LIBERATING feeling I NEVER saw coming, not in a million years; get out, no way, ever, ever, ever.
I am BEYOND grateful I didn't let the fearful thoughts that once grazed my mind about pursuing my purpose interfere with the decision that has brought me eternal joy!
Sharing my passion and story with this beautiful community inspires me Every. Single. Day. The next time you catch a fearful thought cross your mind, turn the negative thinking into a positive opportunity and try REFRAMING it!!!
You may be missing out on a better outcome.
