i’m too old to be eating shit that i don’t want to eat

i overheated the remains of a mediocre fish and veggie stir fry that i cooked a couple nights ago. the flavor that once dignified each ingredient was disappointingly absent and replaced with charred pieces and a confusing aftertaste. four bites later, i come to peace with the fate of my attempted breakfast and grab a few bananas instead. i thought it would be a sensible decision since i’d put energy and time into shopping for and cooking this meal and, despite the tone of its final goodbye, it tasted really fucking good at one point, but once something goes bad, you throw it away. on some occasions, leftovers can be revived, like if there’s not enough sauce left in the noodle-to-alfredo ratio or when you just need to add a little pepper, but i knew better when i reached into my fridge this morning.

i guess i mentioned this to bring up how important it is let go of things that have reached their expiration date. drinking bad milk will make you sick. hanging around bad friends will make you sick. staying in a toxic relationship will make you sick. these are all things we’ve heard plenty of times, but it’s much easier to act like you’re enjoying unhealthy company than it is to swallow chunky milk.

that friend whose character flaws have been basically slapping you in the face for the past few months? that childhood friend that made you realize you’d never be friends if you met at this point in your life? that minimum-wage position that you’ve been busting your ass for, but no word of a promotion? your partner that reached all the short-term goals, but hasn’t mentioned anything long-term? your girlfriend that doesn’t get along with your mom after years and you KNOW why? your “man” who has other girls commenting the nickname YOU gave him under his pictures? ma’am, EXPIRED. throw that shit in the trash please it’s long overdue. 

being mindful of what your mind, body, and soul are consuming is just as important as what your stomach is. if your gut is telling you that something isn’t good for you and is making you feel uneasy, let go of it. once you start sensing any amount of anxiety, depression, or, simply, stress from variables in a situation that you have the option to remove, do it as soon as possible. don’t allow it’s/their negativity to transfer and grow inside of you. history and effort is not a defining factor in something’s/someone’s expiration date, so clear your mind in preparation for the new year if this related to you in any way and if you like to hold onto leftovers longer than one should, clear out your fridge as well because you too old to be eating shit you don’t want to eat just like you’re too old to be doing shit you don’t want to do.