Detoxing and Decluttering

I recently took part in an online detox. It had been in my head for ages to look at my diet – too much chocolate, not enough water and a lack of the pure, healthy stuff… you know the drill.

Although I’m probably not so much into the traditionally-Irish “meat and two veg” dishes I enjoy most foods. Sushi is my favourite, and I also love Thai, Mexican, Italian, Cuban and French. I was notoriously finicky as a child but thankfully my taste buds have matured a bit since then! I actually can’t think of any foods I really dislike aside from maybe liquorice-types like fennel, dill, aniseed or star anise. I’m not a major meat-eater either, and for some reason I find the smell of roast lamb to be particularly pungent.

“Detox” generally implies sacrifice and “detoxing” conjures up images of suffering in a pitiful state of self-inflicted hunger as one chews on bland, dry crackers. The last time I made any attempt to “give up” food was in primary school when I went off chocolate for lent. By the time Easter Sunday had come around the shiny purple foil around the back of the Cadbury’s egg had mysteriously caved in and half of the egg had vanished (the chocolate was dangerously accessible in those days!).

This detox, ironically, introduced many new, healthy foods into my diet over the 10-day process. I had a glass of warm water with lemon first thing in the morning, a nutrient-packed smoothie or shake for breakfast (designed as a full, balanced meal in itself), a healthy, tasty lunch with lots of plant-based foods and a smoothie or shake again for tea. No snacks or anything else between meals, just water. It actually felt very adult eliminating certain things like caffeine, sugar and processed foods from my diet. Shopping very thoroughly before the detox, I was aware that unless I was well prepared I’d be firing out the excuses!

Aside from becoming accustomed to healthy foods like gogi berries, lentils and quinoa (I didn’t know it was pronounced “keen-wah” until recently!), I quickly realised how much I relied on the sweet treat after savoury food, or the (usually unhealthy) snack to break an intense or monotonous spell during the day. I especially missed receiving regular cups of tea and sandwiches from my husband! I also realised how, at times, although I imagined I was hungry, I was actually dehydrated. It seems this is really common. I was very pleased with myself for sticking to the detox, and I certainly noticed the differences in my skin and my body, and some of those changes were evident within a couple of short days. My head was clear and I also felt very grounded after the ten days (who hasn’t felt jiggy after too much sugar or coffee?). The process has taken much of the mystery out of food for me and has literally set the seeds for a more mindful, healthy way of living. So, I became aware of and overcame some unhealthful dietary habits and patterns and I now I believe I have the tools, information and confidence to permanently change them.

Detoxing and decluttering have much in common. When embarking on either process in a holistic and balanced way, you’re actually letting go of what isn’t serving you anymore.

Deborah (the fab and inspiring lady from Wellness Rocks who ran the detox) talks a lot about the “mood-food connection” where certain foods make you feel positive and energised and others make you feel down, flat or even sick. Although she focuses on food, it made me aware of how I see our relationship with material possessions in that same way – those that make you feel happy, inspired and creative and those that make you feel sad, guilty or regretful. (Equally, on the reverse, when you feel low you’ll be attracted to unhealthier foods and you’ll also tend to  gather more “stuff” around you.)  As our approaches involve looking at mindset as well as all the practical bits, we both believe it’s very difficult to move forward if we don’t gently look at what’s holding us back. Most of us don’t eat unconsciously for years and then become healthy and energetic in a day. Similarly, we don’t spend years buying the wrong items or avoiding decluttering to have the wardrobe and home of our dreams overnight. When we expect more for ourselves and we commit to the bigger picture of letting go – not just the recipes or the storage solutions – life-long success is actually inevitable.

Breda x

If you are really sick of clutter and disorganisation and ready for the wardrobe and home you deserve you can get a limited-time €100 discount of my life-changing Declutter Your Wardrobe and Home online course here.

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