courtesy of Minted
Minted and I worked together on this post. Are you familiar? It’s a stationery, art, and party store that features designers from around the world. Awesome, right? The picture above, Just Let Go, is one of Minted’s fine art prints that I covet, and they also sell wedding invites, birthday or Mother’s Day cards, birth announcements, party decor, I could go on.
I just got home from a birthday party for my best friend’s son. Gabe turns 2 this week. He’s a tiny thing with a shock of white-blonde hair and a wide-mouth smile. We celebrated at the playground with hot dogs, s’mores, watermelon, and an awesome cake with whipped icing and a monster truck. My kids were in heaven. Julia ate a s’more before anything else. Max had icing in his ear. On the other hand, I had an internal pity party because I couldn’t enjoy the party foods with the same kind of enthusiasm as my children or even in the same way I would have last month.
It’s awful, isn’t it? I have this sentimental connection to food that has typically dictated how or what I ate. And I’m so emotionally invested in my food, that I do feel disappointment or sadness when I deny myself. And it’s not even that I want the super-sized corner slice of cake dripping with frosting. My habits are healthier than they ever have been, but still would’ve loved to celebrate sweet Gabe with a sliver of gluten-filled goodness.
At the party, I tried to focus on other things instead. I had my camera there, and I took photos of the singing and candle-blowing. I sat next to the birthday boy and showed him that his new monster truck could easily drive over plain old Hot Wheels. I talked with other parents and ate some watermelon. And the moment passed. My pity party ended as quickly and as quietly as it began. And I was left realizing something: I need to let go.
“Just Let Go.” It is my new mantra for these 30 days. If I can learn to let go of my expectations, if I can see around my emotional connections to all things wheat than I can be successfully gluten free. Learning to be gluten free is an opportunity to grow and change and, most importantly, be healthy. If I can just let go of the things that I want, then I can see what I really need. And when I give my body what I need, then I will be healthy.
Say it with me, “Just let go.”
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Minted, which means I have been compensated for writing it. But, as always, the opinions are all my own. Check out Minted, you won’t be disappointed.
ok, i’ll say it too: “just let go”
i am supposed to be gluten free too.
an intolerance, not an allergy, but i DO feel
better when i adhere to the diet! i’ll do it with you -
or at least try! thanks for the motivation. i need that!
It’s not an easy diet, that’s for sure Kathy. But I’m learning to let my body be my guide. IT’s going to take some detoxing for me to feel the effects of no wheat, but I’m trying to focus on the what my future will FEEL like. Good luck!
I have such a tough time sticking to diets but maybe your mantra will help… I am impressed you could skip cake at the party
I hope it helps, Hatton! And I kind of impressed myself too, but accountability is a powerful thing, and if I’d eaten it, I would’ve had to write about it.