In 2021, I will be a stingy therapist friend.
I know, I know, it sounds horrible. 2020 was the worst year in recent history. I mean, for all. On all levels, personal, large scale, all of it. It felt very biblical. As if God’s wrath - if you believe in that sort of thing- was specifically vengeful toward everyone. How special. Throughout everything, my most profound revelation was that everyone needed more than what any one could give. The most beautiful trait of humanity is that when tragedy strikes, people truly want to help one another. And that is the exact thing none of us were allowed to do. Coming together was illegal. So why now, of all times, do I pledge to be emotionally miserly?
My most eye opening realization of 2020 was how emotionally exhausted those “therapist friends” were. You know the type, the mom friend, the one who will pick up the phone at 3 AM, the one who has the most childhood trauma but laughs it off. The one who has spent the most money on copays. We were the last ones anyone thought would break. The marines of mental stability, if you will. After all, this is what we have been training for. A global pandemic and all the mental turmoil should be our Super Bowl, our Olympics even! But, alas. There are so many of these brave souls and we are depleted. Like the rest of the world, we are tired but it’s not about the obnoxious game of misery comparison. And because of this, was have become horrible therapist friends. We can’t do our “job” anymore. The very celebration, or even acknowledgement, that was the life blood of our craft is scarce if not nonexistent now. The advice we so fervently administer cannot be employed by our loved ones. Thus, nothing can get “done”. From there this vicious cycle completes the depletion process and we render ourselves, quite literally, useless in our eyes. We become sad, silly shells of ourselves. The collective, proverbial cup becomes empty. I think this happened around October 15th for those therapist friends.
So! My plan is to be stingy as the therapist friend. Hibernate a little bit. Instead of being a bear in the winter saving food stores, I will be a 20 something living through a deadly pandemic saving mental calories. This may seem like a selfish thing to do given the circumstances. But if you are not a little emotionally selfish, you will just continue in the aforementioned spin cycle of trying to help, having no substantial advice, making your “client” feel unseen, making yourself feel unworthy and then again craving the ability to help someone. That’s why I want to be stingy. So I can get back to “training, so I can focus on this cycle that gets me no where, and has never really gotten me anywhere before. To be honest, being the therapist friend is a dubious honor. It puts all the onus on oneself to have already fixed yourself. Saving a little time and space for you, creates time and space for your loved ones. Being stingy will help everyone wait this out, because, let’s face it, we couldn’t help in this situation anyway. Pandemics are too big for even the best of us. Not even Oprah, or that one guy who left his toxic church community at 19 and now helps homeless LGBTQ youth could save us. And if nothing else, being stingy will help us stall until we can go back to normal problems.
Being stingy is self care. Being stingy is necessary. Being stingy will save our souls.
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Day 4 of Quitting
If this is how sobriety feels, maybe it’s better to go through life a little buzzed… this, along with other hits like, I want to kill myself, I wish I was dead, and I’m going to throw myself off a bridge have been the only thoughts on rotation these past few days. I promise myself that if, in a month, I still feel like this (‘this’ meaning despondent, full of rage, and simultaneously numb) I can go back to smoking. Until mid-February though? Nicotine is off the table.
By sleepy drafts8 days ago in Longevity
The New Food Pyramid
For decades, the food pyramid has been a familiar symbol of healthy eating in American households. From classroom posters to nutrition labels, it shaped how generations understood balanced diets. However, as science advances and public health challenges grow more complex, nutrition experts and policymakers are rethinking old assumptions. The conversation around the new food pyramid reflects this shift, especially as discussions around the dietary guidelines for Americans 2026 begin to take shape. This evolving model is not just a visual update—it represents changing priorities in health, sustainability, and chronic disease prevention. A Brief Look at the Old Food Pyramid The old food pyramid, introduced in the early 1990s, emphasized carbohydrates as the foundation of daily nutrition. Bread, rice, cereal, and pasta dominated the base, while fats and oils were placed at the very top, signaling they should be consumed sparingly. While well-intentioned, critics argue that the model oversimplified nutrition. It did not distinguish between refined and whole grains, nor did it adequately address added sugars or ultra-processed foods. Over time, rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease led experts to question whether the old food pyramid vs new approach needed a fundamental rethink. Why the Food Pyramid Is Being Reimagined The push for a new food pyramid 2025 and beyond comes from several factors: New research on metabolic health and inflammation Increased awareness of processed food risks Greater focus on food quality over calorie counting Public demand for transparency in dietary guidelines Nutrition science now recognizes that not all carbohydrates, fats, or proteins are created equal. This understanding has influenced proposals for the food pyramid 2026, which aim to reflect real-world eating patterns rather than idealized charts. The New Food Pyramid 2026: Core Principles The new food pyramid 2026 shifts emphasis from quantity to quality. Instead of focusing solely on food groups, it highlights food sources, preparation methods, and long-term health outcomes. At its foundation, the new model prioritizes whole foods—vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, and high-quality proteins. Refined grains and added sugars move further up the pyramid, signaling moderation rather than daily staples. This structure aligns closely with broader new dietary guidelines 2026, which encourage personalized nutrition rather than one-size-fits-all advice. RFK Jr and the Dietary Guidelines Debate Public discussions around nutrition have gained attention due to high-profile voices. RFK Jr dietary guidelines proposals, for example, emphasize reducing ultra-processed foods and increasing transparency around food additives. While not official policy, the RFK new food pyramid concept has influenced online debate about the future of American nutrition standards. Supporters of the RFK Jr food pyramid argue that modern guidelines should address food industry practices and long-term health risks. Critics caution that any new model must be grounded in peer-reviewed science rather than ideology. Regardless of political perspective, these discussions have helped renew public interest in how dietary guidelines are formed and updated. The Role of Media Figures in Nutrition Conversations Public figures such as Dr Oz have also contributed to discussions about food, wellness, and prevention. While media personalities do not set policy, their influence reflects a growing public desire for clearer, more practical nutrition advice. This cultural shift has played a role in shaping conversations around new food guidelines 2026, especially among audiences seeking alternatives to outdated models. Old Food Pyramid vs New: What’s Changed? The contrast between the old food pyramid vs new is striking: Old model: High emphasis on refined grains New model: Focus on whole, minimally processed foods Old model: Limited distinction between fat types New model: Encourages healthy fats from natural sources Old model: Generic serving sizes New model: Flexibility based on lifestyle and health needs The food pyramid 2025 and food pyramid 2026 concepts are designed to be adaptable, reflecting the diversity of modern diets and cultural preferences. Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2026: What to Expect The upcoming dietary guidelines for Americans 2026 are expected to continue moving away from rigid structures. Instead, they may emphasize patterns of eating rather than strict daily targets. Key themes likely include: Reduced intake of ultra-processed foods Greater emphasis on nutrient density Sustainable food systems Prevention of chronic illness through diet These ideas are consistent with the broader vision behind the new food pyramid, which seeks to educate rather than dictate. Why the New Food Pyramid Matters Nutrition guidance shapes school lunches, healthcare advice, and public health policy. A clearer, more evidence-based new food pyramid could help individuals make better-informed decisions without confusion or guilt. As food environments grow more complex, updated models like the rfk food pyramid discussions—whether adopted or not—highlight the importance of ongoing dialogue. The goal is not perfection, but progress toward healthier populations. Final Thoughts The evolution of the food pyramid reflects more than changing science—it mirrors society’s growing awareness of how food impacts long-term health. While debates around rfk jr dietary guidelines and public figures will continue, the broader movement toward updated dietary guidelines for Americans 2026 signals a meaningful shift. The new food pyramid 2026 is not about rejecting the past, but learning from it. By focusing on whole foods, balance, and sustainability, the next generation of dietary guidance aims to meet modern health challenges with clarity and compassion.
By Saboor Brohi 7 days ago in Longevity
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