3 Reasons I Did Not Hit My Goal and What I Am Doing Now

When I set out to take several weeks off of added sugar and sweeteners, as well as, refined grains, I wrote that I would be checking in along the way - and I never did! I did give up the sugar, I gave up the sweeteners, I gave up the refined grains (like bread and pasta), but I never checked back in, until now.

The first thing that kept me from writing an update since I started this, on Wednesday, February 17th, was school. I have been so busy with school, besides stressing about school, being anxious about school, and having interrupted sleep - probably due to worrying about school, I have just had so much work to do this semester. Okay, it's pretty much like this every semester. Anyway, I kept wanting to sit down and write about my experience, but every time I thought about it, I felt guilty for not doing more schoolwork - so I would say the post could wait until another day and got back to my schoolwork. Here we are, 60 days have passed by since the beginning, two more weeks that the six weeks I made the goal for, and I am finally writing again. By the way, still feeling really guilty about taking this hour, on a Saturday afternoon, out of my schoolwork time!

The second thing that kept me from achieving my goal of posting updates, was feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and burnt-out! This past year has been a challenge, in many different ways, for everyone around the world. I am blessed to have my health, and the health of my close family and friends. This year has taken a toll though. Between illness and deaths among extended family and friends, work and financial instability, changes to the university format, overall fear, and isolation, how could a person not be changed? On top of my normal school stress, I have spent this year worrying about so much else. I am sure most people would agree, a mental vacation would be lovely right now!

The third, but maybe not final, reason I did not post during the last two months, was just me being me! I often put too much pressure on myself; I tell myself that if I produce something that is not perfect, it is useless; I am often my worst critic. Between schoolwork and feeling exhausted all the time, I felt like I could not take the time to post something of substance. I should have made the time, I kept telling myself - but maybe that was just me being too hard on myself again. School is my first priority, and I frequently let other things slip through the cracks while I am going full type A on my education. I do not think that will change much though; school is expensive and I want to do well and earn the education I am paying for. Since being sent home from school due to the pandemic, I seem to lack a good concept of time, which leads to poor time management, and continued negative self-talk.

I constantly struggle with trying not to be too hard on myself, but at the same time, not allowing myself to get away with too much. To be honest, I am not really sure where to draw the line. I do know that we need to prioritize what is important to us and try our best to get those things done, without giving ourselves hell in the meantime! It is also important to allow ourselves happiness, stress relief, and joys in this life. For me, video chatting with family and friends makes me happy, but I barely make time for it.

Often, I make long to-do lists and stress when I do not accomplish everything each day. I have heard people speak about making a weekly to-do list and creating a daily list of only the top priority items, usually not more than three items a day. I find that this method works well for me. I am able to manage my time and stress better when I do not feel like I am rushing. Breaking large projects and tasks into smaller portions is also helpful, for me at least. This helps me avoid rewriting the same task every day of the week, having never completed it. Seeing a checkmark next to each smaller task feels good as you move toward the completion of the whole project.

I doubt I will ever be perfect at time management, but I do love organization, accomplishing tasks and goals, and less stress!

Please let me know how you manage your time and stress. I am always looking to learn & grow. I hope to build a community here that is supportive in times of need, and also, in times of plenty!

Try not to be too hard on yourself :)

With Love, Kathleen

P.S. Here is the actual update... I still have not been eating added sugar or sweeteners, for eight weeks now. I did make some delicious plant-based scones on Easter, from the new book by Team Sherzai. The scones included spelt flour, but I left out the sweetener and oil, instead opting for extra unsweetened applesauce. Monday, April 5th, I began their 30-day plan to build brain health habits. This means, I have now cut wine out, in addition to the sugar and sweeteners. Besides two homemade blueberry scones on Easter, I have not had any other flour, bread, pasta, or other refined carbs, since before Lent. During the last eight weeks, my one big takeaway from these changes has been the immense relief from the headaches I was suffering before. My guess is that has to do with the sweets. I did not get a headache on Easter, and I drank red wine and ate scones :) The 30 days ends on May 4th, and I do believe I might have a drink to celebrate the end of the regular semester (I will only have one final remaining) on May 5th, but I am not sure I want to reintroduce added sugar and sweeteners. I think my gut prefers whole, intact grains over flours though, but who knows, I do love banana bread and croissants, so I may dabble. Currently, I am enjoying smoothie bowls, like the one pictured above, and filling dates with almond butter then sprinkling on some sea salt - so good!

By the way, look up Team Sherzai! They are intelligent, giving, amazing human beings and I am thrilled to be on this journey with them. Their whole approach to better brain health revolves around NEURO: Nutrition, Exercise, Unwind, Restore, Optimize.

I do not know about you, but my brain craves my attention!