The Sun-Moon Notebook: Live Below the Line: Day 2

I couldn't wait to get out of bed this morning. I kept thinking "I'm having breakfast!" like it was the most exciting thing that can happen. Pouring cereals into the bowl, it occurred to me how wonderful the sound of cereals clinking on ceramic was. It made me happy. Then I realized I haven't appreciated breakfast cereal like this ever since elementary school. Having a meal feels like a rare treat.

I planned the coming meals with care today. Yesterday, I miscalculated the impact missing afternoon tea can have on my hunger and ate too little at noon. I won’t make that mistake again. For lunch, I modified a favorite brunch menu to fit my budget. I cut out the center of a toast, filled the hollow with an egg, and fried it. The extra bit of toast went into the stir-fried lattice. The dish sort of cheated my senses into believing there were more on the plate than there really was. Adding an apple, lunch was a feast.

The afternoon was easier to pass by. Even though I still wish for a snack, the craving wasn’t overwhelming. I was able to push food from my mind for a few hours as I went about my studies. At 5:30, I cut the toast and made some salad. Dinner was delicious but unfulfilling. My stomach still rumbles as I sit here typing, but the hunger doesn’t bother me that much anymore.

Even though I am getting used to the empty feeling, there were moments (such as when unknowing friends called up for ice-cream) when battling for self-control became difficult. Those were times when all the supporting voices that came to me over the last few days helped very much. In addition to friends’ and family’s encouragement, I was happy to receive words from both WFP and ‘Live Below the Line UK’ through social media. They reminded me that I am doing this for a good cause. Going to sleep tonight will be easier even with an empty stomach. For all that send in their support, thank you. I am very grateful to get those messages.