Quick update: I loosely stuck to the 3-day diet regime. By loosely, I mean that I stuck to it for breakfast. I still lost 4 pounds in 3 days and have kept it off!

Sometimes in life, you get the same advice over and over again and then one day, it really does sink in.

When I had my corporate job and was jetting off every week and managing a busy personal and social calendar on top of that, I was in a constant stress loop. I felt like Jack Bauer rushing to beat the clock. Kind of like this guy. Now, there are always crazy busy periods in life, and if you are doing things you really love and enjoy, by all means. If years and years go by…well.

We as a society (maybe I mean major U.S. metropolises) have gotten addicted to being busy. It is a badge of honor to be stressed. Heroic to pile things on and still have it together. I used to feel this way as well. I ended up looking like shit, feeling like shit, and staying up late at night sweating fearing there was no escape and yet hoping I could just unlock a clue that would lead me to real happiness.

Several people over the years have tried to convince me to slow down. Some have literally written or said the words, “SLOW DOWN.” Others have told me to “quiet the mind.” Sure. Whatever that really means. Still others have told me that the key to life is really finding out what you “want” and you can’t know that with the demands of everyone else driving your behavior. Knowing what you really want can be tricky, of course. Sitting by yourself is one way to get there, apparently. If you do nothing for long enough, there will be something you actually want to do. You shouldn’t force it. Multiple people I trust have guaranteed me this outcome.

We live so much of our lives in our minds. Who knows what’s really “real” vs. interpretation and meaning? It probably makes sense to gain some mastery over our mindstate or some semblance of it, if we can.

After a summer of running around with periods of semi-stillness, I am embracing that approach of nothingness. It has fostered appreciation for myself and my surroundings. I am in a cute London apartment in the Chelsea neighborhood focusing on quieting the mind, being still, living simply. This regiment has consisted of running across London bridges, one meditative yoga class a day (e.g., Kundalini, Yoga Nidra), an ashtanga yoga class, and preparing no frills meals.

My awareness is broadening and deepening, and I am loving this most selfish period of my life. It feels good to focus on me.