I’m giving up sugar - because of the way it makes me obsess about needing something sweet, and makes me feel sick, and makes holes in my teeth, and because it might eventually stop my body from fighting disease.
I’m taking up the clarinet - because I love the idea of being able to play exciting music myself, and it sounds beautiful.

I’m giving up palm oil - because orangutans are losing their homes and dying as a result of of the production process.
I’m taking up eating mostly unprocessed fruits and vegetables and grains and beans - because eating this way makes me feel so happy and alive.

I’m giving up feeling stressed for not being able to live up to standards I set for myself that are too high - because stress suffocates my joy and I’m scared it will cause me damage to keep living with it.
I’m taking up going on dates with my husband (usually accompanied by the dog) - because it reminds me to enjoy the most important things in my life on a daily basis.