Well, its up and down.
Actually, it's definitely not a no-sugar thing anymore.
It's more a general-life-adjustment-dragged-out-over-a-much-longer-time-than-just-a-year.
I learned a few very valuable lessons from the earlier part of this year. That no-shopping resolution in 2013? I had no idea at the time, or even until half-way through this year, that it really wasn't me keeping that resolution. That was the Spirit of the Lord inside of me, keeping me from spending money I would need so desperately at the end of that year, when I took the most giant, terrifying fall of faith (because it wasn't anything near as elegant or smooth as a leap).
It really was no surprise to me when I learned that I was just going to continue to fail at this self-control thing I thought I had mastered. I should have known myself better than that.
For a while I sat in a corner and pouted because I was embarrassed by this huge proclamation I'd made to the world that I was going to be this awesome, totally put-together girl, who was going to do exactly what she said she would, because she was strong enough.
After pouting for a while, though, I realized that it's okay to fail, and we all go around proclaiming that we're cooler, stronger, wiser, more in control than we actually are. The plain truth is that we aren't strong enough alone. The Lord had a reason to help me with my 2013 resolution. My 2014 resolution came from a deep-seated place of pride in my heart, and needed to be broken for so, so many reasons.
I made a decision when I started this blog, that I was never going to delete anything I wrote on it, no matter how much I may hate returning to those things. So, as much as I hate to return to that incredibly prideful post from this January, it's staying, simply to remind me of what I've learned.
I did make a valiant effort to keep that resolution for the first few months, and, who knows? I may eventually be able to transition to a life-style without processed sugar. I would be so happy to do that one of these days, but I'm putting no prideful, legalistic time-limits on it this time around.
In fact, I'm slowly collecting recipes I come across that will be helpful when that time does arrive, because I do intend to do it one of these days. Now is not that time, though.
An interesting side-effect has arisen from that failed resolution, though. I've established a few significant, chemical-free habits, like my new hair and face washing routines. I've also experimented with Oil Pulling, and been pleasantly surprised. I still haven't fully converted to that from brushing my teeth, but I am so close to it.
I've also discovered that I like Agave nectar in my coffee better than sugar. Definitely a surprise, but certainly a pleasant one. So, I guess it wasn't completely a bust?
Hawaii
9 years ago