My dear friend Robbin asked me what the “newer” me would say to the “old” me … here is a link to the Open Letter To 2010 Me and what follows is the reply from 2010 me.

Dear Michelle 2011,

If you’re writing to me about changes I’ve made, then it must be true. But to be honest, from where I am it is all so very &%$+ing overwhelming – I can’t even imagine what could possibly change. Besides, I have too much to do to think about my health, right now. Even in working with my life coach, I struggle every month to keep my own commitments to make better food decisions, somehow they always end up on the back burner.

Of course, I have wanted to make changes for years, but it is so HARD and frankly, more expensive than how I am eating now. I am trying to make some better eating choices, you may not remember this, but money is tight and organic food is not really in the budget. Not sure how that’s changing anytime soon.

Michelle in 2007

Maybe you’ve forgotten how hard 2010 is … it’s not peaches and cream like 2007 back when you had the warehouse, staff and were being featured in the news … before the economic “hiccup”. That smile from 2007 hasn’t been around in a while, at least not on the inside.

It’s easier to just have a beer, or two, or three and go with the flow. Makes forgetting easier, and makes coping less stressful.

It’s easier to just eat what’s here, and easy, and not make a fuss.

After all, did you forget how delicious Mom’s cooking is? It’s so hard to pass up, and it hurts her feelings when I turn down her cooking.

Besides, I have plenty of time to think about it, right?

I wish that I believed in me the way that you do. I really wonder what changed …

Love,
Michelle 2010