In a culture obsessed with doing, eating, achieving, and acquiring, the idea of pausing can feel radical. And yet, intermittent fasting offers us that very gift — a portal into presence, simplicity, and trust. Not as a form of punishment, but as an act of devotion.
At its core, fasting is not about restriction. It’s about reconnection to your body’s wisdom, to your hunger cues, to the rhythms of nature, and to the ancient knowing that you are held and whole, even in the space between meals.
A Return to Rhythm
Before refrigeration, 24/7 grocery stores, and food delivery apps, fasting was a normal part of the human experience. People feasted, fasted, and lived in tune with the sun, the seasons, and the needs of their bodies.
Fasting is not new. It’s ancient. And it’s within you.
Intermittent fasting, in its modern form, is simply a return to our natural biological cadence; not eating constantly, but allowing the body time to rest, recalibrate, and heal.
Holistic Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
Here are some of the benefits of fasting that go beyond the usual "lose weight" narrative:
1. Mental Spaciousness & Clarity
When we pause from eating, our blood sugar stabilizes, and our brain enters a more focused state. Many people report sharper concentration, calmer moods, and a greater ability to stay present.
In the quiet of an empty stomach, your mind slows. You feel your intuition more clearly. This is why many spiritual traditions incorporate fasting before deep prayer or ritual; it brings us into sacred stillness.
2. Cellular Repair & Autophagy
Fasting activates autophagy, the body’s way of cleaning out damaged cells and regenerating new ones. It’s like taking out the trash at a cellular level. This process supports:
Reduced inflammation
Improved immune response
Longevity
Detoxification of brain and body
3. Hormonal Harmony
Fasting can support insulin sensitivity and hormone balance, especially in women when approached gently and intuitively. It allows hormones like human growth hormone (HGH) to rise, aiding in cellular regeneration and fat metabolism.
Note: Women’s hormones are cyclical. Fasting works best when adapted to where you are in your cycle (more on that below).
4. Building a Relationship with “Justenoughness”
There’s profound healing in being able to feel hunger and not immediately react. You learn that hunger is a wave, not an emergency. This cultivates patience, awareness, and inner steadiness; an antidote to a world that constantly screams, “More!”
5. Self-Trust & Embodiment
Each time you fast, you communicate to your body:
“I trust you. I believe in your strength. I know you can hold me through this.”
This builds more than metabolic flexibility.
It builds faith in your inner resourcefulness.
Emotional & Spiritual Spaciousness
Fasting brings up emotions; fear, scarcity, old patterns of disordered eating or hyper-control. That’s why it must be approached holistically and lovingly.
When done with presence, fasting can teach us:
Where we eat to numb
How we run from discomfort
What it feels like to actually listen to the body instead of override it
This is sacred work.
Fasting becomes a mirror — reflecting our habits, our hunger for meaning, and our longing for simplicity.
Tools to Begin Intermittent Fasting (With Love, Not Rigidity)
If you feel called to explore this practice, here’s how to begin gently:
1. Start with a 12:12 Window
Fast for 12 hours (say, 8pm to 8am) and eat within a 12-hour window. This aligns with your circadian rhythm and supports digestion and rest. You can increase to a 14:10 or 16:8 window if it feels good.
2. Hydrate Deeply
Water, herbal teas, and electrolytes support energy and cleanse the system during a fast. Add a pinch of sea salt or a splash of lemon for mineral support.
3. Eat Nourishing Meals During Eating Windows
Fasting is not a reason to undernourish. Focus on whole foods, high-quality fats, fiber, and protein during your eating window. This keeps blood sugar stable and cravings at bay.
4. Be Gentle with Yourself
Fasting is not for every day, and it’s not for every season. If you’re stressed, menstruating, or recovering from burnout, you may need shorter fasts or none at all. Listen to your body — not your perfectionism.
5. Journal Your Experience
Fasting brings awareness. Use a journal to reflect on:
How does my body feel during fasting?
What emotions surface?
What do I learn about myself in the quiet?
For women, fasting should honor the cyclical nature of your hormones. Consider:
Follicular phase (day 1–14): This is the best time for longer fasts (14–16 hours).
Luteal phase (day 15–28): Your body may need more calories and shorter fasts (12–13 hours).
Menstruation: Gentle nourishment and rest — fasting is optional or not recommended here.
This isn’t dogma, it’s rhythm. Your rhythm.
Let It Be Sacred
Intermittent fasting is not a fad.
It’s a form of sacred self-remembrance.
In the space between meals, we remember how capable we are.
We remember that we are not just consumers, we are creators.
We are not just hungry for food, we are hungry for clarity, for simplicity, for peace.
Fasting gives us a taste of that.
Not through force, but through reverence.
Not by starving, but by listening.
So let this be your permission slip:
Fasting is not punishment. It’s a homecoming.
A spacious, soulful return to the wisdom within you.
