Staging My Own Mutiny: An Update

It's sort of ironic that it's taken me almost 2 months to give an update on my 7 Experiment when the most recent fast was media, specifically social media. :)

I just really enjoyed not feeling attached to my phone. And I realized how much time I wasted during the day just scrolling thousands of tweets or double-tapping Instagrams. (I'll be honest though- I really still love Instagram).

I thought I would write and blog more during that time but I really didn't.
I thought I would accomplish a ton of projects. But I didn't.
There was a whole week of just adjusting to idle time. It's strange when you are not used to it.
Also what I figured out: all those things you thought you wanted to do but didn't have time for?
You actually just don't want to do them.

So there are a few things I have let go of. Or learned to deal with being in flux. It was definitely a lesson in learning how I spent my free time.

I was able to spend more quality time with family and friends. Even if it was just a walk or coffee date or phone call.
Also, I didn't miss TV AT ALL. I got rid of cable a year ago and just use my AppleTV for Netflix and Hulu. But now, I hardly watch that either. I'd much rather put on some music and read or just be in the silence.

I liked not knowing what everyone was doing every second. Although, when I was bored or waiting in a line or something, it was tempting to look at my social media apps to keep me entertained.
And why is it we have to be constantly entertained? I'm really not sure and that newer need is bothersome.

I looked back at our group discussion and it's interesting to me how many of us noted how bored we were. I was at first, but then I learned to adjust and use that time a little more mindfully. A lot more reading. A lot more walking. Overall- very good for my mental and physical health.

I cheated one time when I posted a tweet in support of the Boston bombings. It was really hard not to look at twitter when that was happening, but I didn't. I read some news on the internet for about 30 minutes then shut it down.

The main after effect of this one is I have spent considerably less time on twitter and Facebook. I still Instagram and post those to Facebook and twitter for family and friends, but I'm trying to be more mindful of what I put online.

During the media fast, we went to dinner with some friends and someone commented about how I wouldn't be taking pictures of the food like I normally would. I was a little embarrassed. Is it that annoying of me? I didn't realize people even noticed that much.

That made me think about what people might think about my media presence.
I haven't found the perfect balance yet, but this was a good start.

After the media fast, I went on 2 trips and sort of fell out of the loop of the 7 experiment and my church group wrapped up.
I still have 3 sections to go and I'm not giving up. :)

So, next section is WASTE.

Jen makes some great points in the video:
- We can't say we worship the creator and destroy creation. We are called to be stewards of God's creation.
- Creation care is a real thing. The world was created to sustain humanity. We don't have to choose between people and the earth.

And some of the statistics are staggering:
- Americans make up 5% of the population, but we consumer 1/3 of all the world's paper products.
- Together with China, America accounts for 40% of the earth's depletion (p 115).
- Human demands on the world's natural capital measure 30% more than the earth can sustain (p 115).

What the what?? Those statistics are really disturbing to me.

I just finished reading 100 Thing Challenge by Dave Bruno. It was recommended to me by numerous people (thanks readers!) and it lines up with what Jen is saying here.
As Americans, we consume too much stuff.
Whether that be clothes, food, 'disposable' items, etc. We have too many things and we use and abuse too many things.

(I'm also reading The Omnivore's Dilemma right now which talks about our overuse of land and food as well).

Between moving to a much smaller place and doing the 7 experiment, I feel like I have drastically changed my lifestyle. My need to buy and consume is diminishing. I try not to waste a single scrap of anything.

Here are Jen's suggestions for the fast from waste:

-Eliminate convenience products: paper towels, water bottles, baggies, fast food, coffee (bring your own mug!), plastic grocery bags, etc
- Eliminate heavily packaged items
- Buy in bulk
- Buy concentrated cleaning and soap products and reuse old bottles for refills
- Replace paper with cloth
- Eliminate products that are completely unnecessary
- Reuse containers
- Recycle everything
- Buy local food
- Conserve water
- Shop second-hand and thrift
- Drive less
- Use urban transit
- Join a CSA
- Grow a garden

I've put in bold all the things I already do.

I am a member of 2 CSA's where I get 90% of my food needs met. I get the rest from a local grocery store and when it's the right season- the local farmer's market.

I always use cloth or paper bags. I rarely, if ever, buy paper towels. I use rags to clean and a cloth napkin or dishtowel when eating at home. I use mason jars and glass Pyrex to store food and transport it for my lunches at work. I try to remember my own coffee cup when I pop into my favorite shop. I recycle everything I can. Since I didn't have a license for a period of time and I live within walking distance of almost everything I need- I only drive to work.
And I absolutely HATE plastic water bottles. I'll buy one if I'm traveling or there are no other options, but I use a Nalgene bottle daily. I try to buy local as much as possible (even when I'm out of town).

One thing I don't really agree with is buying in bulk. I find that Costco and places like that encourage us to consume more.

The one area I could try to work on more is thrifting. I've garage-saled and thrifted for household goods, but not really for clothes. However, since my Fashion Fast 2013 is still in full swing- that's not really an issue.

The other day I listened to this NPR podcast with Elizabeth Cline, author of Overdressed. She discusses the high cost of cheap fashion- both social and environmental costs. It occurred to me just how much a global economy can be detrimental to our sustainability. I think another area to add to 'waste', could be buying fair trade and organic clothing- preferably made local.

I know all of this sounds like a lot of work, but once you make small tweaks over time, it really becomes second nature and you see how much you are saving. Even before we went out of town for my birthday I tried to eat up all the fresh produce in my fridge and freeze what I couldn't. I even froze my remaining mixed greens in baggies and used them for smoothies the week I got back. It felt good not to waste or throw things away.

Coming up next...spending.
Yikes.
More to come on that one!

How do you refrain from wasting? Do you recycle or reuse? Do you use public transportation? How do you feel about buying in bulk? See any other ways I could reduce waste in my life?

Staging My Own Mutiny: Possessions Recap & Media Fast

Possessions was easy.
I had no problem getting rid of stuff.
I know I have too many things and I'm also moving later this year.
Also....I sort of love purging.
It's the most liberating thing ever.

I did this in an afternoon. 

The weightlessness of not feeling burdened by all the things to be organized, labeled, stored, cleaned, managed....it's freeing.

I wanted to fill 7 boxes and I did. Not all of them are even pictured here.
I am still working on where to donate them and to what meaningful cause but I have found homes for some of my things and I'm pretty excited about that.

And- I'm not done.
There are a couple areas I'd still like to cut back in- jewelry and clothes.
Since January, I've gotten rid of a 6 full rubbermaids of clothes and shoes. Seem ridiculous? I still have a lot to go.
The fashion fast is teaching me that I'd rather have a few things that I really love versus 500 things that are just 'okay.'
Also- quality over quantity. Always.

I read a lot about living simpler via these blogs and articles. All were very insightful and motivated me to make some changes:

Becoming Minimalist- This blog has so much insight and he links to some amazing articles like these:

Choosing a Life without Stuff

Do It Now. Seriously- handle your stuff.

And this.

My friend Jason has also been a big inspiration to me. Him and his wife simplified their life and moved to California with 2 kids and all their stuff in ONE TINY UHAUL trailer. And no debt. It's impressive. I ask his advice a lot and he recommends books to me. I suggest finding a successful friend - it makes a difference!


But now that possessions week is winding down....we are on to MEDIA.

I'll admit it.

I'm a certified Iphone junkie.

Not so much games and apps, but Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
I wake up and read email. Scroll through Instagram. Read Twitter.
I can lay in bed looking at my phone for a half hour before I do anything.
I feel embarrassed to share that.


Watching Jen's video for Media, I latched onto a couple things:
- When you are too sucked into your gadgets- people tell you they miss you.
- Often we get so connected online, we ignore real life relationships. Media is not a substitution for real life.
- Technology can be really amazing and useful and powerful- but it can also be a burden. Balance is key.
- The key to building missional community is relationship.

And biggest of all:

If we say we 'don't have time' to call, visit, grab coffee with a friend or family member...

we are lying.

If we have time for shows, apps, emails and pictures- we have time.

I think we (I know I am) are all guilty of this.

'Oh, I'm just SO busy.' Yet, our friends and family we shrugged off can see we posted 15 Instagrams and 100 tweets while we were supposedly 'busy.'
I think society has allowed that to become okay and maybe that needs to change.

I read something the other day too about how media is making us dumber. As people, we are losing the ability to focus and if we are not constantly being stimulated we can often be 'bored.' I have experienced this. And I think there will be a real and profound 'withdrawal' period at first. 

Here is what I'm giving up. Friday, April 12th to Friday, April 26th:

NO TV

NO Facebook

NO Instagram

NO Twitter

Check emails once in the AM and once in the PM

Phone stays in the car or bag at work- no checking during the work day. 

I'm going to allow myself to blog and 'share' the blog posts. It doesn't open up the entire app but just the little post and then it closes itself. 

Also- my google reader is 1000+ posts so obviously I don't have a problem with skipping over that media option.

Besides just giving things up, I'm going to try to do a couple things:

• Set up a family breakfast
• Visit my grandparents for coffee
• Call my family in Nashville
• Read more
• Write more

I'll admit- giving up Instagram is going to be hard. 

And T's birthday is mixed in there. So I'm going to look like the bad fiance that doesn't publicly acknowledge his birth. HA. I think he will understand. 

People, I'm really really looking forward to this.

Often I can feel overwhelmed and scatterbrained by technology so I think this hiatus will be a good reset for me.

Last Night's Instagram

Please check back periodically to make sure I'm still alive....

:)

March Recap & Fashion Fast Update

It's April!
Winter is over!

Well, sorta.
This is Iowa.

We definitely had more sunshiny days versus cold ones and I'm glad to say things are finally turning green with the rains of this month.
Even though the rain never stops.
I'm not complaining.
Sorta.

March came and went so fast. I literally blinked and we were 2/3 of the way through the month.
However, I did manage to meet some of my goals:

- Run 100 miles this month: I made 111 miles in the month of March! This turned out to be a goal that kept me sane during this busy month. You can follow all my training on dailymile (I have a widget on the sidebar)
- Finish War & Peace: I'm still reading. I have less than 500 pages to go and a few days to finish. I'm hoping to wrap this up mid-month. I have now checked this out from the library 4 times....

- Send out wedding save the dates: DONE!

- Make some progress on baby Gwen's blanket: About halfway. I didn't have as much time to work on this during March as I would have liked, but it'll get done in April. 

Here is a little update on the rest of my goals for 2013:

- Spend time in the word and prayer more

Thanks to some amazing She Reads Truth plans for Lent and Holy Week, this has been easy. Our small group also started back up and I'm feeling very encouraged and blessed by the things I'm reading in the Bible. I think this is the first time in my life that I really WANT to read the Bible. All of it. Over and over. I want to be one of those people that can relate real-life scenarios to a Bible story.

I've been trying to pray more often and more effectively. She Reads Truth plan for post- Easter is all about prayer and I'm learning so much! Mornings with devotions and prayer has really become a special time for me.

- Stop over committing (rule of 2)

This has been pretty easy. I think I'm getting better at saying 'no' and not having a license sort of makes it impossible to do just do whatever, whenever. I'm really, really, looking forward to tax season being over so I can spend time reading and sitting on my patio writing.

- Get simple (fashion & spending fast)

I broke down.

I forgot I scheduled a Stitch Fix box for the last week of March as a reward for not buying anything for the first quarter. This was before I decided to not buy for the whole year.

Of the 5 things, there were 2 shirts I really liked.

So I caved.

See? how could I resist? I'm calling it an early birthday present and I made myself get rid of 4 shirts as penance. #balance

As for other spending, we booked a trip for our birthdays and I hired a painter for my house...so yeah. I see the trip as a good investment and treat for us. We are seeing one of our favorite bands and visiting lots of friends. It will be a really good time and probably the only trip we take this year. Also- we paid cash for it with bonus/tax money so I didn't charge anything.

- Eat (mostly) vegan

I think I've mentioned more than once how my sugar habit is out.of.control.

Jami did a #whole30 and is now all hatin' on sugar. Like the sugar police.

(I kid, I kid. She's awesome and I live close enough to her we could be real life friends. That may just happen.)

But anyway- it inspired me to be more mindful about my sugar intake and QUIT FEEDING MY FACE WITH DESSERT.

Seriously.

I haven't broke myself of the chai or the latte (I love that creamy spiciness), but I do sugar free when I can and I'm considering a pre-30 years old 30 day clean up of me. In honor of getting old.

At this point, I'm picking one day a week that I get a treat on. This varies because things come up. Last night I had this.

I split it with T and it has vegetables in it so it basically doesn't count and makes up for the vegan peanut butter cup I had on Monday.
Right?

Obviously, I have work to do here.

Use the #imoversugar hashtag on Instagram to share your healthy eats. It's super inspiring.

Also, check back Saturday for  a Homemade Larabar Recipe.

- Give priorities priority (more family, regular volunteering, scheduled write sessions)

I got to spend a lot of time with family this month.

Maybe it doesn't seem like a lot but we aren't the 'see each other every week' kind of family, so a birthday dinner, Easter celebration and whole day with my nieces was a special treat.

Volunteering is going great. I love, love, love serving food to my people downtown.
I'm actually signing up for more days and hoping that I can get to know each one of them a little better.

My scheduled writing sessions have been damnear impossible during tax season, but I expect that to change very soon.
I can't wait.

- Rest in the big picture

You know, T and I have had so many talks about our upcoming marriage and what our future will look like. I was dealing with my old house this month (finding a renter which came through- seriously, Praise Jesus) and we had a serious discussion about our future living arrangement and fears with being in such close quarters together.
We love each other. A lot. But we also love our alone time. It was good to admit that and talk through all those things we might be feeling a little nervous about. And also, to remember that we get to be married. To each other.
It's pretty exciting stuff.
Our future is so bright and the big picture in front of us is an adventure I can't wait to start.

Goals for April:
-#imoversugar: Give this a real shot. No excuses
- Finish War & Peace: i swear. this time. for real. I WILL FINISH.
- Blanket: It's going to be too warm for blankets by the time I finish if it's not April. So this one is getting top priority.
- RELAX:  #restisbest Tax season is coming to a close. Bike season is starting. Taco Tuesdays!! Yesssssss.

How was your March? Can you believe 1/4 of the year is OVER??

What goals do you have for April? What is your favorite thing about spring?

Talk to me, people.

Lent Reflections

As this Lenten season came to a close, I was struck by the thought of how my simple sacrifice of coffee is supposed to symbolize the incredibly generous gift that God gave to me- His Son's life.

Here I was, complaining and moaning about how much I miss coffee and it's so hard and blah, blah, blah. Meanwhile Jesus willingly allowed himself to be beaten to be a bloody pulp and nailed to cross just so I could even HAVE the luxury of drinking an espresso latte everyday.

I'm sorta disgusted by me.

I'll admit, the first couple weeks, it was all about me. I changed up my morning routine, found a substitute in hot tea and soy chai lattes but still missed that super hot, strong, intense flavor. More than that, I missed the many social events I seem to create around a cup of coffee- girl dates, writing time, downtown walks, etc.
I spent time reading the Bible and tried to focus on the fact I was doing this for a reason, but most of the time I didn't think about Jesus at all.

I didn't think about how my need for coffee was so small, so teeny tiny and so NOTHING compared to the gift I was receiving.
I just thought about how my life would be harder. Or different. Or less convenient.

I could blame my humanness.
I'm a sinner.
Naturally inclined to make everything about ME.

During our Easter Sermon, Pastor Paul said something about how we, as people, find ways to even twist the Gospel around to make it about us. Praising Jesus for the sake of ourselves.

I sort of feel like that sums up my Lent experience.

I didn't feel like I gained a greater connection to God over the course of 40 days.
I actually just found it was a lot easier than I expected to give up coffee.
I didn't need it as much as I thought.

But on Easter Sunday, I got up, put on my tennis shoes and walked my dog to the coffee shop for a big, black coffee.
And guess what? It wasn't as satisfying as I thought it'd be.
I expected to feel this sigh of relief, 'Finally! Coffee!' but it didn't taste any better or worse and I realized, somewhat embarrassingly, it's just coffee.

I think, at the beginning of Lent, I envisioned feeling this big empty space, normally filled with coffee, that would magically be occupied with the Holy Spirit. I mean, obviously! That was the point right? Give something up and free that space for Jesus?

In my first post on the 7 experiment, I talk about that space. About using it for something more spirit-focused and intentional.

I did some of that- changing up my morning routine with daily devotions and praying out loud. I had already been completing morning devotions, however, I began to use that time more deliberately- not rushing and making it a priority.

But what I really learned is this:

A spiritual fast is less about the actual thing you are giving up and more about freeing yourself from anything that distracts you from relationship with Jesus.

No matter what the 'thing' is that you are fasting from, what you are really doing is saying 'I'm going to eliminate a diversion that I have given too much power to.'

And that- I didn't do. I didn't rest in that empty space and just be in relationship with Jesus. I didn't use those cravings to refocus my mind on prayer and meditation. I just found other stuff to occupy the time and fill all the spaces and then praised myself for not drinking coffee for 40 days.

I think there is power in emptiness.
I think there is power in the elimination of stuff in my life.
I think there is power in resting in a specific quiet moment of clarity.

I'm not sure any of this makes sense to you, dear readers, but in my mind I've learned a valuable lesson about what it means to really do without.

It DOESN'T mean exchanging one for thing for another. Or finding a different thing to pass the time of the old thing.

It DOES mean clearing space and leaving that space empty. Wide open. Willing and ready for something bigger than a hot drink.

How was your Lent experience? Do you feel like you really connected in relationship with Jesus or, like me, do you feel like you need a little more practice?

Staging My Own Mutiny: Food Fail & Life as a Clothes Junkie

I was a big fat fail at the food fast.

As I write this post, I’m sipping on a chocolate chai and munching on my favorite coffee shop cookies. I ate the better part of a homemade carrot cake loaf this past week and demolished an entire box of Girl Scout cookies in one sitting on last Tuesday night.

Obviously, I have a sugar issue.

I did just fine eating what was in my cupboards for regular meals and keeping my grocery shopping to a minimum (spent less than $30 on groceries in two weeks). However, I found myself justifying soy chai tea lattes and hot cocoas late at night, claiming they are not desserts. I'd randomly end up munching on sugary mints at work and popping a few jellybeans in my mouth out of boredom or availability and not giving it a second thought.

I completely failed to give up that indulgence and direct that craving to spiritual matters.

My friend Kelsey is also participating in the 7 experiment with our women’s church group and said this about giving up food indulgences:

This week so far has been a reminder to be thankful, meet the challenge head on, and allow that uncomfortable space to be there. It’s okay to feel uncomfortable, and I need to figure out why I feel that way and why I need those things to satisfy me.

I didn’t allow for the uncomfortable space.

In fact, the minute I felt the slightest uncomfortable- I stuffed that space with something- sweet or not.

I think this is very telling.

I’m not done with food fasts.

In fact, I think this is something I should start practicing regularly- as a way to deal not only with my reliance on sweets as comfort, but also to allow that space to focus on what is causing  me to reach for those cookies instead of facing the real issues head on.

Although I failed to keep my fast promise, I think I learned a really valuable lesson here about where I’m weak and need to rely on Jesus and not the closest sugary treat to comfort me in times of stress.

This next 2 week section is on Clothes.

In the 7 experiment,  Jen counts all the things in her closet and arrives at a number: 327.

She says to estimate the amount of items we own and then count.

I figured I have about 350 items.

Then I set out to count.

And count.

And keep counting.

429 items. 41 pairs of shoes. 16 jackets.

Not including socks, underthings, a load of workout clothes in the dryer and a tub of summer clothes and sandals  I forgot were in the bottom of the closet.

Which means the final count is probably around 500.

That is enough items for me to wear something different every single day of the year.

I’m a little disgusted with me.

And to think I got rid of 3 tubs of clothes at the beginning of the year, haven’t bought a single thing and I STILL have 500 items?

Yikes.

Apparently, I have a little bit of a problem here.

Let’s explain how I got into this conundrum:

I love fashion

As long as I can remember- I have loved clothes. I've tried the latest fashions, invented my own fashion (my family will do well to remember my skater punk/hippy/goth phase in mid high school) and even dreamed of being a model one day. When I was 10 or so, I had this backlit lapdesk that I used to trace models onto and invent runway masterpieces. I had a purse collection at age 10 that could rival any adult.

And I’m not the only one in my family. Most Saturdays as child were spent shopping with my mom. We’d go to Target or the mall and wander around. I spent all my birthday money and Christmas money every year on clothes along with my siblings. For us- shopping and fashion were fun ways to spend time together. 

Looking pretty outside makes me feel pretty on the inside

I’m a firm believer in ‘if you look good, you feel good.’ I did a fitness challenge a couple years ago and when that was over I pretty much replaced my entire wardrobe. I went down a few pant sizes so I used that opportunity to buy things that made me feel good. And when I wear clothes that fit me well, I feel confident. And when I’m feeling confident, that positive vibe bleeds over into other aspects of my life. I perform better at work and I’m happier. Also, you know what happens when you wear fashionable and flattering clothing? People compliment you. That’s also an ego booster.

Shopping makes me happy

There were many a times that I decided to ‘treat’ myself after a bad week or bad breakup or just because it was Saturday and The Gap was having a 30% off sale. Something about buying something new makes me feel special. And what girl doesn’t love a new pair of kicks or a top for the weekend?

I’ve used each of these reasons to justify purchases. To tell myself it’s okay to charge a couple hundred dollars on new clothes because I ‘need’ them. Or that a new shirt here or there really 'isn't that much.' Or that I've 'worked hard for nice things' and that I 'deserve it.' 

Jen Hatmaker said something in the 7 experiment that sent me reeling:

Do you think of your income as a potential source to battle injustice or more like your personal blessing (and reward for working hard)?

I can't get that question out of my head. I realized all my reasons for owning 500+ clothing items didn't even matter. They are just excuses that allow me to self-indulge and look for affirmation in material things. And that money I felt justified in spending?

Let’s put a number on that.

Perhaps I spent, on average, $20 per item. That’s $10,000. Even more realistic, let’s say I spent $35 per item. That’s $17,500. That's enough money to buy a new car. 

Granted, I’m required by law to cover my body when I go to work and Midwestern winters require some extra layers. However, do I really need 4 camel colored skirts? 3 pairs of black dress pants? 15 pairs of jeans? Probably not.

Jen also says:

We enjoy rank and privilege globally; we are the apexes on the pyramid scheme. Acknowledged or not, this position creates an entitlement so entrenched, it is nearly impossible to even imagine we bear responsibility to the poor.

Ouch.The truth hurts.

How could that money I spent on clothes to ‘make myself feel good’ have been better used to ‘battle injustice’ in the world?

What am I trying to convey with my clothing? Am I seeking human affirmation for a spiritual matter?

And more so, how does what I’m wearing reflect my heart?

These are some questions I’m still working through over the next week. In the meantime, I picked the following fasts:

• 1 pair of pants, 1 skirt, 1 pair of jeans and 1 pair of leggings for the 2 weeks. I have 2 professional jobs and some social events happening so limited to what was acceptable for those things.
• No makeup except mascara and a little blush/bronzer combo.

Oddly enough, I made a goal this year to not buy any clothes and so far, it’s been pretty easy. I wake up and delete 15 emails from retailers offering me 15-30% off if ‘BUY NOW!’ and go on with my day. I haven’t felt an overwhelming urge to shop and honestly- feel more at peace not trying to always have the latest and greatest.

(Side-note: I accidentally bought one t-shirt from my new favorite yoga studio. I know, I know, how do you accidentally buy something? But I did. Said yes, dropped off my money and then a week later realized that although it wasn’t from an actual store- I still bought a clothing item. Sigh.)

We are one week into this and so far I don't mind having limited outfits. It’s been a lot easier than I thought. And just like Jen said…no one has noticed that I’ve worn the same skirt or pants for the past week. 

AND- I've already purged a Rubbermaid full of clothes and accessories I don't wear. 

I'm gearing up for purging during Possessions week!

Would you consider yourself a 'clothes junkie'? If you took the leap and counted your items, are you surprised about the number of items you own? 

Staging My Own Mutiny: A Love Affair with Sweets

I really miss coffee.

It's been 2 weeks and 1 day (but who's counting?).

Most days I can sub in tea or hot cocoa for my morning 'hot' drink, but there is something about the aroma of coffee in your nostrils and that dark, rich flavor on your tongue that just can't be replaced...ahhh.

Did I already say I miss coffee?

I decided to give up coffee (anything with espresso or coffee) for Lent.
I can think of a zillion reasons why it was a good choice- it's daily, it's part of a routine, it's something I would consider myself slightly 'addicted' to.

But the main reason is this- fasting is supposed to be hard. It's supposed to hurt a little.

...It is supposed to be uncomfortable and inconvenient ..the discomfort creates space for the Holy Spirit to move. This shake-up of my routine commands my attention. I can longer default to normal, usual mindless, thoughtless. (Jen Hatmaker, 7, 2012)

In years past, I've never really participated in the fast part of Lent. I've done various 'things' maybe give up something for a day or follow a reading plan.
**Sidenote: A couple years ago, I tried to give up the f-word for Lent. I failed miserably.
This should tell you something about my previous experience with Christianity and the purpose of Lent.

Last month, I saw a conversation happening on Twitter between Adrienne and Courtney about Jen Hatmaker's book- 7 and some bloggers reading through it together and writing about it in a series called 'Stage Your Own Mutiny.'

(Interestingly enough, after I decided to join up with the blogging group for The 7 Experiment, my church decided to do it as part of the women's bible study group. Which was so perfectly timed, it made for some interesting hashtags between Adrienne and me via twitter: #jesusdidit, #youbetterlisten)

I had heard of 7 from Courtney during the Influence Conference. I was intrigued by the concept but had never really looked into it. When I moved downtown to my condo, I did a HUGE reduction in stuff and have been interested in the minimalist-type lifestyle ever since so I was pretty excited about being part of this experiment.
Even thought I'm somewhat on a spending fast as part of my 2013 goals, I bought Jen's study guide for the 7 experiment and decided to join up with the other gals.

I read through the intro and watched the accompanying video.
I was blown away by some of the statistics- making $50,000 a year puts you in the top 1% of the world's wealthiest, $35,000 equals the top 4%*- really??
I had already been considering giving up coffee for Lent and this was the push I needed.
Jen's explanation of fasting as a means to shed those things clogging up our life and allow the Spirit in really spoke to me. I began to see fasting as less of a burden and more as an opportunity to do something a little greater than me.

And honestly, if there are people in the world that eat rice and beans everyday for their meals and I can't give up a daily latte...what does that say about me? What does that say about us as Americans?

Some notes I took during the intro video and accompanying questions:
- A fast doesn't just turn up God's voice- it gives us perspective.
- It's not just about 'decluttering'- we can simplify for justice. While we are OVER, lots are LESS. What is our responsibility as human beings? as Christians?

These are pretty tough questions that I don't have the answers too, but I"m hoping this time of fast and working through the 7 book will help me get closer to what that looks like for my life.

Biblically, there are five main reasons for fasting:
1. Mourning
2. Inquiry
3. Repentance
4. Preparation
5. Crisis
6. Worship

For me, the reason I'm fasting from coffee this Lenten season is for Repentance and Worship. I'm using this time to  maybe identify those things that have become idols in my life.

Let me clarify- coffee is not an idol.
As much as I LOVE coffee, I don't WORSHIP it.
However, I do spend time and money obtaining coffee. Could that $5-6 a day be spent better elsewhere? You betcha. Could I use that time during my routine for something more spirit-focused? Definitely.

For instance, I normally wake up and immediately start drinking coffee. Seriously.
Like...I roll out of bed pulling on glasses, shuffle to the bathroom for a quick potty and then to the kitchen for a drink of water while either brewing a pot of coffee or heating up a cup from yesterday's pot (don't get crazy on my coffee snobs that need fresh brews everyday- I don't have that kind of money, time or equipment).

The first week of Lent, I made hot tea because I didn't know what to do with myself in the morning- I was so used to doing 'coffee' things. After a couple days, I decided to really use that time for reflection. Instead of making hot tea (a routine similar to making coffee), I pull on my glasses, grab my Bible and my Ipad and do my devotional reading for the morning before I even exit the bed.

I really love this change to my routine. I have more time to focus on the reading, the devotional questions and prayer. I used to read my She Reads Truth while scarfing breakfast, post-workout, pre-shower, most likely running late. More often than not, my devotional time was not very focused and lacked enough time for reflection.

This quiet morning time with the Word has been transformative for my soul. I feel more relaxed and ready to start my day. I feel more connected to God. I've even started praying out loud during that time.
This may not be a big deal, but to me- it's huge. I normally don't feel comfortable praying out loud in our small group or with others, but you only get better at things with practice, right?

I suspect even when Lent is over, that part of my morning routine will stay the same- but maybe will include a cup of joe. :)


For the first month of 7, Jen and her family fasted about food. They gave up coffee for the entire MONTH. They also ate only 7 foods for the entire month: chicken, eggs, spinach, avocado, apples, sweet potatoes and wheat bread.
When I watched the video segment for this part of the series, I didn't feel as engaged.
In fact, I felt sort of turned off by the video. I'm not sure what it was, but it didn't speak to me.
So I put the study guide down and pretty much ignored it for a couple weeks, deciding to jump on the women's group schedule for the experiment versus the blogger schedule. I was hoping that hearing how other women in my church community were doing with the book would encourage me to get involved.
And I'll admit...giving up food seemed really hard to me.
I'm a foodie.
I like to cook. I like to shop for food. I like to bake. I like to try new things.
The idea of sticking to 7 foods for any period of time, even a day seemed just UGH to me.
I feel like a complete jerk even saying that.
But it's true.

Instead, I decided maybe I wasn't connecting because the study guide doesn't give all the details of Jen's fast. It gives a few tidbits but is more of a guided study versus her first account narrative of her experience.
I went out to Amazon and bought her paperback book.
That was last week.
It came on Thursday night and I finished it by Tuesday evening.
I couldn't put it down.
Her diary of The 7 Experiment clicked with me.
In a big way.

So, I revisited the food chapter sans the video and it's been much more engaging for me.
I talked with my friend Mandy about the study guide questions and she mentioned that she thought about what her seven foods would be. So I made my own list:

- oatmeal
- peanut butter
- spinach
- apples
- bananas
- avocados
- sweet potatoes

I had just gone to the store and planned meals for the next couple week so I will not be eating only 7 foods for the next two weeks.
However, I did make some food goals- some areas I need to work on:

• No sweets- that is no desserts of any kind- cookies, cake, ice cream and the like
• No grocery shopping unless it's one of the 7 foods on my list. My thought being most of those things are perishable so I will run out- otherwise I have plenty of food in my cupboards I can incorporate with these fresh items to make meals. (I'm thinking this could go on longer than 2 weeks. Between my fridge and cupboards I counted 154 items. WAY more than I thought I had.)
• Also, I'd like to pick at least 2 days during that 2 weeks where I eat only 2 meals of rice and veggies as an homage to the many who go without.  

I'll be honest.

I'm sitting in one of my favorite coffee shops right now drinking a chocolate chai (no espresso!) wondering if chocolate chai should count as a 'dessert' and it's only Day 1 of this food fast.

Fasting from food is weird for me.
I have so many emotions and feelings mixed up in what I eat.
Even the thought of putting restrictions around it gives me a little anxiety.
For some people, this would not be hard.
For someone who has had their fair share of 'issues' with food (high school eating disorder, subsequent weight loss and gain, yo-yo dieting, over-exercising, just now barely finding a happy balance...), it's scary to let go of that control. Really scary.

But, the more I think about it, the more I pray about it...isn't that what fasting is all about?

Letting 'me' go, so I can let Him in?

You can come a hot mess like we all are, but come for Jesus. Come for transformation. Come for worship. Come humble and honest, open and listening.

(Jen Hatmaker, The 7 Experiment: Staging Your Own Mutiny, p 26)

Have you ever fasted from something before?

Are you currently fasting for Lent? If so, what are you giving up?

If you have read 7, does it make you want to move to Austin, TX? I do.