It's GO Time!

Today is the last day of my first job. So, it’s the end of an era, really.

I feel like there should be some sort of graduation ceremony with speeches, buckets of bubbly, and a wild party to cap off my accomplishments and carry me through to the next phase of my professional life.

Everything comes to an end (duh). And I tend to like the idea of endings because they are expected and inevitable. But change is scary. It seems like everything I know about my life right now is falling apart like some doomed relationship in an Adele ballad, and I’m just moronically forging ahead hoping to find something different, better, best.

I am quick to fall into a stable routine and I’ve never been the type to disrupt the status quo. But I've gone and done it.

As huge as this feels, I have to keep reminding myself that leaving your first job is expected and normal and frankly pretty mundane in the grand scheme of things. I’m happy, and healthy, and employed. I have wonderful friends, and great coworkers, and family members who support me no matter what.

This transition is a bit daunting now because I’m right in the thick of it all, but as things mellow out, I know I’ll be happy with my decision. Life is pretty simple, after all. Just do what you love.

The Early Stages of Dating

When you first start seeing someone, everything is rosy and good and nothing is dark and bad, and there are no tears or drama or jealousy. It’s the lovely, simple time before you even have your own feelings figured out.

You don’t want to seem needy and clingy and overly-attached, but suddenly all your friends seem lackluster and your new beau is the zenith of all that is fun and amazing in the universe and you just want to non-creepily spend every spare second in their company. So you make plans. First it’s happy hour, then food, then maybe a movie. Then it becomes all these inane activities. Let’s go rock climbing, let’s try trapezing. Ever hiked in the Shenandoah’s? LET’S DO IT.

Because when a relationship is first getting off the ground, you’re hopelessly reliant on organized activities to give your time together some structure. The gist of the plan is essentially meaningless, but there’s an unwritten rule that you’ve got to have one. Both parties must at least pretend there's an underlying reason for meeting up besides possibly wanting to exchange DNA.

So the Big Date is scheduled and details confirmed but fro-yo becomes dinner which turns into drinks which leads to morning coffee and suddenly you’ve powered through all the classic date night activities in a single whirlwind evening and you find yourself sprawled on a couch watching re-runs of sitcoms wishing you’d spaced things out just a little bit better. It’s like speed dating except with one person instead of a roomful of singles.

And now things aren't rosy and good or dark and bad but some kind of murky pinkish middle ground.

Is this (just) real life?

Intro to a Juice Cleanse

Today I kick off my three day cleanse. I opted for the BluePrintCleanse (BPC), Renovation, or Level 1, because this is my first time venturing into the world of juices and I didn’t want to bite off more than I could chew (or sip?)

I’m nervous because, honestly, I don’t really like juice. I know the BPC drinks most likely won’t taste like your average glass of Tropicana, but I’m just not a big fan of beverages other than water.

Also, I love food! Maybe too much. Maybe ten pounds in two years too much. So, one goal of this cleanse is to jumpstart healthier eating habits and keep my total calorie consumption in check (at least for the next couple of days).

I followed the pre-cleanse directions as closely as possible but due to a family birthday dinner last night, I might not start off on the best foot.

In order to gauge the effect the cleanse has on my system, I thought it would be prudent to keep track of as much personal health information as possible. Although I doubt three days can make a real difference in overall health, I'll report back with any significant changes on Day 3.

This cleanse should be a hilarious experience but I know if I feel sick or "off" at any point, I can and will stop. I'll listen to my body. So without further ado...

Cheers!