08/27/2026
I was fortunate enough to spend two weeks in Italy this summer, and my goodness, I loved it.
Gelato every day. (I learned that’s the rule for summer in Italy.🍦)
Pizza. Pasta. Tortelloni with butter and sage that was undoubtedly one of the best sensations I’ve ever held in my mouth in my entire life.
Whatever happens with gluten here in the States did not affect me over there.
I don’t drink here, but there I enjoyed w**e with meals. Campari tonics.
What felt best, and was somewhat new for me, was that I didn’t experience even one moment of guilt for enjoying all of it.
I knew I would return to my normal routines when I got home, and I have. But being able to enjoy delicious food without feeling bad about my body, even when I didn’t necessarily feel amazing in my body, was new for me.
It felt good to simply enjoy.
Enjoyment, pleasure, and delight without guilt and shame sitting right beside them.
Somehow, I seem to have managed to unhook those experiences. A past version of me would be happy to know that was possible.
And yes, maybe my pants were a little tight for a week or two.
When I came home, I returned to the things that normally help me feel good. I started drinking my Detox Tea again, went back to the way I usually eat, and let my body settle.
Feeling bad about the enjoyment wouldn’t have changed the outcome. It only would have taken away from the enjoyment of the moment.
Here’s to letting pleasure be pleasure.
XO,
Ariele
