Spring Cleaning Your Cells

A Different Way to Think About Fasting

Every March, many of us suddenly feel the urge to spring clean.

Cupboards get emptied.

Drawers get reorganised.

Things we haven’t used in years somehow end up in charity bags.

It always feels amazing afterwards.

Clearer.

Lighter.

More spacious.

And it got me thinking…

Why do we spring clean our homes… but rarely think about giving our bodies a similar reset?

Now before anyone panics, this isn’t a strict health lecture, and I’m definitely not claiming to be a fasting expert.

But I do find the perspective around fasting fascinating.

Most people hear the word fasting and instantly think:

Diet.

Weight loss.

Starving yourself.

And I used to as well; but that’s not the lens I look through any more.

Giving the Body a Day Off

Most days our digestive system works incredibly hard.

Breakfast. Snacks. Lunch. More snacks. Dinner. Something sweet later in the evening.

Our digestive system is basically running a 24-hour production line.

Processing food. Absorbing nutrients. Sorting out what to store and what to get rid of.

It’s brilliant at its job.

But every now and then, I like to give it a little break.

Sometimes I’ll do a 36-hour fast.

Not for weight loss.

But because I like the idea of my body having a bit of time for maintenance.

I am studying cellular aging and scientists talk about processes like autophagy, which is essentially the body’s way of tidying up damaged or old cell parts.

In simple terms…

It’s a bit like the night-shift cleaners coming into an office once everyone’s gone home.

Bins emptied. 

Desks wiped down. 

Everything reset.

My Slightly Humorous Theory

Now here’s my completely unscientific (but helpful) way of thinking about it.

When your stomach growls during a fast…

Maybe it isn’t actually shouting:

"Feed me!"

Maybe it’s saying:

"Bloody hell… look at all this mess we need to clear up!"

And then it just gets on with the job.

No drama.

Just quietly doing the work.

Unexpected Side Benefits

There are also some amusing practical perks.

If you’re not eating for a day or so:

You save time not preparing food. 

You save time not eating food. 

You save time not thinking about food.

And yes… technically you save a bit of money too.

Not the main reason to do it, but I’ll take the bonus.

The Real Point

The real point here isn’t about fasting itself.

It’s about perspective.

If you see fasting as:

"I’m starving and depriving myself."

…it feels difficult.

But if you see it as:

"My body is doing a bit of maintenance and spring cleaning."

…it feels completely different.

The experience changes.

A Quick Reality Check

Just to be clear, I’m not a fasting expert, and fasting isn’t appropriate for everyone.

People should always do their own research and consider their personal health situation before trying anything like this.

But what I am an expert in, is something slightly different.

Self-awareness.

And one of the most powerful things we can do for ourselves is change the lens through which we see things.

Because when we change perspective…

We often change behaviour.

And when behaviour changes, outcomes usually follow.

A Little Thought for Today

If you’ve ever been curious about fasting, perhaps don’t think of it as deprivation.

Think of it as your body having a bit of time for housekeeping.

A little cellular spring clean.

And like any good spring clean… things often feel better afterwards.

✨ Remember

Awareness changes what’s possible, and it always starts with you.