The Shift : What I Wish People Told Me Before I Embraced Clean Living

This is an important conversation I’ve wanted to have. And i wish someone had guided me as I took to clean living.

A lot of people want to embrace clean living by using more natural products, supplements, diets and traditional techniques, I encourage you to do it, but not all may suit you or be right for what stage in life you are.

There is a lot of wonderful content, suggestions, books, influencers, coaches, gurus etc, but you have to understand that firstly, they are experts in their field, and secondly, their body is different from yours. And before plunging in something, do check with a doctor or a specialist in that field. And after that see how YOU respond to it, because ultimately, you know what is best for you. 

Sometimes, your body rejects a new supplement, product or technique outright, and you need to respect it and not force it on yourself, even if it has benefited others.

There are so many instances I can cite myself, which I have experienced and what my friends have to share. Things that work beautifully for others, even life changing, but a complete flop on ourselves. Oil pulling stained my teeth. A friend with a deviated septum got an infection after using a neti pot. My body reacted violently to an all natural, forest foraged chywanprash. Friends who switched to raw and healthy diets suffered from aggravation of conditions. menstrual cups have been excruciating for friends with endometriosis. My face has broken into a rash after using natural creams. The list goes on.

Why does this happen?

There are many reasons. Everyone’s body is different. Everyone’s constitution is different. And everybody has a different state of health and tolerance levels.

The more you understand your body, your constitution, small subtle things on how it reacts to food, to media, to ingredients, to emotions, you will understand yourself more and you can avoid what does not suit you. 

It’s just common sense. Would i slather on a Himalayan salt scrub on my body? Of course not unless I want it to sting while scraping off my flesh. I might just apply it to the soles of my feet, and that’s about it, not even elbows and knees. Will I apply nimboo directly to my skin to de-tan? (Who detans anyway? Brown is beautiful.) No chance. Am I going to guzzle apple cider vinegar first thing in the morning on an empty stomach? No hope in hell. But I’ll drizzle it on my salad, a small splash. 

One size doesn’t fit all. You need to do your own research and intelligent experimenting. But the great thing is that there are so many resources these days, investing in yourself is the best thing you can do today. 

I wish someone had told me this before I started my journey to clean living.