(Day 13/122 of the experiment)
It’s already the thirteenth day of my experiment and the second day I’m ignoring Tristan. I didn’t think it would be so morally crushing – I feel like a 15-year-old love-struck schoolgirl again. And I’m afraid that the end of these relationships will also be tragic.
To think less about love affairs, I decided to dedicate myself 100% to a healthy lifestyle – to dive into sports, meditation, and proper nutrition. Besides, the next block for me is psychology – then I’ll think about my relationship with Tristan and men in general.
In the morning, I did some exercises and felt like I wanted to attend some kind of sports class, but I didn’t know what. Something gentler and slower. But not yoga – I have memorized that experiment for life and don’t want to repeat it. I wrote to Lilia, and she suggested I try stretching – which is great for the body’s overall functioning. I signed up for a workout and decided to treat myself to something today. My mood is bad, I don’t feel like doing anything (but I have to), so at least I’ll give myself some kind of gift. I opened my laptop and started thinking about what I wanted. A strong family, good health, a new interesting job with a high salary, a Volvo S90… none of this is something I could allow myself today. I want… I want a ring! A beautiful silver or gold piece that would remind me that I have taken the true path and started to take care of my life. Something elegant, not too flashy, but elegant and sophisticated.
Before stretching, I headed to the city earlier and stopped by a jewelry store. My eyes are darting everywhere. When was the last time I bought myself a gift? If I don’t count my spontaneous vacation, I probably have never actually given myself a gift. No, I’m lying. Once, I gave myself a massage course with an osteopath – I was reaching for a bottle of beer and pulled my back so badly that I spent three days almost immobile afterward. But was that a real gift? More like a survival measure.
There are many pieces of jewelry, but they all seem wrong for me. I tried on a silver ring with a large stone in the center, a narrow “band” with white stones, a gold signet ring with a lion’s face, and a stained-glass ring with blue and silver waves. None of this feels right. Not something that would suit me and definitely not something that would remind me of my new life.
When I was almost heading to the exit, Liza – the lovely consultant from the store, offered me the last option that fits me in size. At first glance, it's an ordinary white gold ring with a band of black enamel. But when I try it on, I feel in my gut – it’s “mine”! We are very similar – at first sight ordinary and unremarkable, but if you look more closely, you can see the treasure hidden inside. Without even asking the price, I almost shout to the whole store, “I’ll take it!”
I arrived at the stretching class looking more beautiful than when I left home – now my finger sparkled with my first and such an important gift to myself.
Well, one cannot compare gym workouts to stretching – it’s like comparing borscht to candies. But like with food, I like both. My muscles have stretched so well; I feel like I’ve become taller! I feel like a little fluff – light, flexible, and so relaxed. Without thinking, I bought a subscription for eight more classes.
When I got home, I remembered my promise to dedicate more time to a healthy lifestyle. So I chose to prepare healthy food instead of aimlessly scrolling through Instagram.
Brief summary: today +1 new hobby, +2 gifts to myself (the subscription counts too!), and +0 messages from Tristan.
(Day 14/122 of the experiment)
I open my eyes and don’t understand where my morning neck pain, knee creaks, and overall fatigue have gone. Stretching is indeed a cool thing! To maintain the results, I found the first random workout on YouTube and started exercising at home.
Richard seems to be tired of my new schedule. Before, we used to eat pizza together after midnight, go to bed in the morning, and wake up only when it's time for me to work. And now I, like a model athlete, go to bed by midnight and wake up by 8 a.m. Clearly, it’s not a cat’s schedule. But I will pull both myself and Rich to the side of health and routine.
I told Max about stretching, and he, as a professional, said that it’s the perfect combination for health and figure – doing strength training at the gym and then focusing on relaxation and stretching during yoga or stretching exercises.
After my workout, I accidentally ran into Sveta – the same journalist who had interviewed me – and we decided to grab a coffee while she had time.
- Svetlana, how are you? How's work? What's new?
- Oh, Cinderella, don’t ask. It feels like it hasn’t been just a few days, but at least a year. First, your interview is coming out tomorrow! So I’m waiting for you at 12 in the editorial office – you’ll pick up a copy of the magazine and we’ll celebrate your star moment with a bottle of champagne. Secondly, I’ve decided to leave journalism.
- What? How? – this announcement completely took me by surprise. If someone had asked me what an ideal journalist should be like, I would have simply described Sveta. Determined yet pleasant to communicate with, tactful but clear at the same time. Collaborating with her was a pleasure and she always knew what question to ask at the right moment.
- Yes, I've decided to follow my heart – I’m going to work as a psychologist. To be precise, I already worked, but my clients are increasing and I just can’t manage two full-time jobs. And I can’t refuse to help people. So, I decided to sacrifice the magazine. By the way, don’t you want to try your hand at journalism? You have an education, you’ll gain experience. What do you say?
- Oh, Sveta, I am so happy for you! I didn’t know you were working as a psychologist. I think we can help each other in this job of yours – I was just thinking of going to a psychologist. As for work – probably not. Work is at the bottom of my transformation plan – that is, for the next three months I just want to enjoy life and not think about deadlines, management, and text uniqueness percentages.
- Regarding psychology – if you’re serious, then of course come. But I must warn you – during consultations, I’m not your friend, but a psychologist. And sometimes I might say things that you may not like. If you’re ready – you’re welcome!
- Of course! What do I need to come for my first consultation? – I have been thinking about a psychologist’s services for a long time since I can’t figure out where the root of my problems lies. And if the psychologist is also a good person, then it’s time to act!
- Write down everything that doesn’t suit you, what you want to change in your life, what grievances keep you from living, and generally everything that worries you.
- Wow, I need to buy the thickest notebook, or better two.
- Don’t be embarrassed by this; it’s the same for everyone. The main thing is that you’re ready to work on yourself.
So, my crazy experiment will also include some psychological digging. I think it won’t be as interesting and pleasant as shown in the movies. Although, who am I kidding? In movies, everyone cries and gets irritated during psychology sessions. What pleasure am I talking about?
Tomorrow, I’ll buy myself a notebook specifically to write down all my problems.