I have a bit of a problem with buzzwords and trends that don’t offer the entire picture, but instead use fear-based tactics to sell products or services by getting you to believe there’s something “wrong” with you and that they (not you) have the cure. 

I see this a lot with “detoxes” and the various “detox programs.”  The act of detoxing is a necessary and vital one and in fact, your physical body is the most comprehensive, brilliant detoxify machine ever – without the need for smoothies and juices or fasting or colonics for days on end. 

These modern-day, trendy detoxes could have an appropriate time and place, and I have seen them serve as catalysts for people’s continued self-care and health-supportive lifestyles afterwards.  “I feel better on this detox!”  Why, of course you do!  Your typical diet of processed food-like-stuff has been suspended and you’re eating Earth-made substances that your body recognizes and craves! 

However, all of this aside, no matter how well-intentioned a detox facilitator or detox participant may be, more times than not, it seems that a few crucial elements missing.

Supporting Your System

You CANNOT jog and kale and smoothie your way to true, joyful, nourishing, ecstatic living.  Simply addressing this very superficial layer of ourselves (our physical bodies and physical environment) is only one piece of the human experience.

So, what’s missing? 

Peeling the layers away and diagnosing the state of you entire being and your life on all levels – physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual – and honestly assessing where you’re feeling malnourished, stuck, and unhappy.

It’s easier said than done, of course, which is why many get caught at the physical, surface level and can handle the green juice for a day or two before succumbing to their “old ways.”  It’s just enough to “feed” our ego and make ourselves feel as though we’ve “done good” and “changed” and then just enough to scare the same ego back into maintaining the status quo by not continuing with the layer-peeling (or the increased vegetable consumption) on a daily, dedicated basis.

Creating Meaningful Change

Your allegiance to the status quo, although an outdated and possibly dysfunctional one, is strong.  We fear and resist change, yet we come to realize that eventually the current way is dangerous to us. 

This leaves us in an awkward purgatory-like situation wherein we’ve come too far to go back, and are still too chicken shit to go all the way through the newly opened door of possibilities that we’ve opened. 

However, now, at this pivotal time in our existence, it’s time to confront what we resist so that we can shift our relationship with it and find the transformation and release that’s desperately needed.  We’re being called to release addictions – addictions surface on all levels as the result of unmet needs. 

The needs aren’t being met because we either don’t know we have them (because we’re blinded by the addiction), we’re bypassing them with the addiction, we’ve convinced ourselves the needs are unable to be met and so we numb out continually.  Viscous cycle, anyone?

Your feelings are the answer.  The innate intelligence that exists in your body is your guidance system and the way through that door and out of purgatory, is through this body intelligence and feelings. 

Ways to Detoxify the Poisons From ALL Levels:

Physically: cut the boozing, drugging, consumption of processed food-stuff, the porn, the internet, the television; get embodied, support your digestion, and rest

Emotionally: resist holding grudges; be mindful of times that yield anger, isolating, frustration, sadness, etc. and dig deeper – especially when the reaction may not seem to necessarily fit the triggering situation; work with your energy, nervous system, and core wounds (most likely rooted in Feminine Shame)

Mentally: watch for the addiction to the old stories, which shows itself through hurting all levels; what tracks are on your Mental Body’s “greatest hits” album that you hear daily?

Spiritually: make a daily practice of grounding and shielding exercises, nourishing and supporting the energetic system with intuitive practices, and engage in spiritual practices that align with you

Learn more about whole being nourishment and the four bodies.

Learn more about real, whole foods.

Learn more about addiction.

Learn more about creating new habits.

Learn more about the process of shadow work and diving into parts of yourself that feel challenging.

Learn more about embodiment practices to process old emotions and ground into your physical body.

Learn more about cultivating authentic spirituality.

Learn more about aligning with Nature – the ultimate healer.

Find a way to shift your relationship to the thing from which you’re numbing.  Notice how it sabotages your life and your desires.