“Fasting wasn’t about punishing my body. It was about quieting the noise so I could finally hear God’s voice over my own anxiety.”
Listen, I know what you’re thinking. Fasting? Like, not eating? Girl, between your 8 AM class, your side hustle, and the group chat blowing up, you barely have time to eat, let alone *not* eat on purpose.
I thought the same thing. I saw fasting as this extreme, ancient thing that super religious people did. Until I was so overwhelmed with my final year stress, my messy situationship, and my bank account anxiety that I was praying but couldn’t hear a thing back. My spiritual life felt like a dead Instagram DM.
That’s when I tried it. And sis, it changed everything. Not in a preachy way. In a real, “oh-this-is-what-peace-feels-like” way. Let me break it down for you, no filter.
Fasting Isn’t What You Think It Is (And It’s Not Just About Food)
The biggest misconception? That fasting is just a hunger strike to get God’s attention. Like He’s keeping a tally of your skipped meals. That’s not it.
Think about your average day. You wake up and scroll. You listen to a podcast on your commute. You’re in back-to-back Zooms or lectures. You’re texting, tweeting, TikToking. Your brain is a browser with 50 tabs open, and three of them are frozen.
How are you supposed to hear that quiet, inner voice—what I call God’s nudge—with all that noise? You can’t. Fasting is about creating space. It’s closing some tabs.
💡 Quick Tip
Start with a “social media fast,” not a food fast. Pick 6 hours on a Saturday where you delete the apps from your phone. Use that time to journal, walk, or just be bored. The clarity you get will shock you.
I used to pray while half-watching Netflix. I’d be like, “God, guide me,” while also judging someone’s fit check on my explore page. That’s not a conversation. That’s a distracted monologue.
Fasting creates a physical reminder. That hunger pang? It’s your cue to pause and pray. To say, “Okay, I’m choosing to feel this temporary discomfort to focus on something eternal.” It turns your whole body into a prayer.
💧 What Works: A 32oz Motivational Water Bottle – When you’re doing a food fast, hydration is NON-NEGOTIABLE. This one has time markers to keep you on track and helps fight off fake hunger (which is often just thirst). A game-changer.
What Actually Works: How to Fast Without Passing Out in Class
You don’t have to go 40 days in the desert. Start small and be smart. This isn’t about torture; it’s about intentionality.
Option 1: The 12-Hour Overnight Fast. This is the beginner’s hack. Finish dinner by 8 PM. Don’t eat again until 8 AM. You’re literally just sleeping through most of it. It teaches your body the rhythm and your mind the discipline.
Option 2: The One-Meal Fast. Pick a day (maybe a less hectic Sunday). Skip breakfast and lunch, but drink water, herbal tea, or black coffee. Have a sensible, nutritious dinner. Use the hunger moments during the day to pray or read something uplifting.
Option 3: The “Daniel Fast” Vibe. Based on the biblical story. You don’t give up all food, just specific things for a set time (like 10 days). Think: no meat, no sweets, no processed foods, no social media. You eat fruits, veggies, and whole grains. It’s a detox for your body AND your feeds.
The key is to HAVE A “WHY.” Don’t just not eat. When the hunger hits, that’s your cue. Your “why” could be: “God, I need clarity on this internship offer.” or “I’m feeling so anxious about my family, I need Your peace.” or even “I just want to feel close to You again.”
It’s Not About the Hunger. It’s About the Hunger For More.
The Truth Nobody Tells You About Fasting
Okay, real talk. The first few times you try fasting, your brain might not go to holy places. It might go to: “I’m hungry.” “That girl’s fries look good.” “Did I pay my tuition?” “Why is he texting so dry?”
That’s NORMAL. The point isn’t to achieve perfect, zen-like focus. The point is the redirection. Every time a worldly worry pops up, you gently say, “Not right now.” And you turn your heart back to your “why.” That act of returning? That’s the prayer. That’s the worship.
You’ll also discover what you’re really dependent on. Is it food for comfort? Is it your phone for validation? Is it that situationship for distraction? Fasting exposes your crutches. And once you see them, you can finally hand them over.
“I didn’t find God in the hunger. I found myself in the hunger—my fears, my obsessions, my noise. And then I found Him right there with me in the middle of it.”
This is the kind of stuff women talk about inside TechMae every single day. No judgment, just real ones keeping it real.
Related: This post is a must-read for women on their journey.
Start Here: Your No-Guilt, No-Fear First Fast
Ready to dip your toe in? Do this with me this week.
1. Pick Your Fast: Start with the 12-hour overnight fast. It’s the easiest entry point.
2. Set Your Why: Write it down. “God, during this fast, I specifically want to hear from You about ______.”
3. Prepare Physically: The night before, don’t binge eat junk. Have a solid meal with protein and veggies. Fill up your water bottle.
4. Have a Prayer Prompt Ready: When you feel hungry, instead of opening UberEats, open your notes app and jot down a prayer, or read a short verse. Change the association.
Why This Works:
✅ It builds spiritual discipline (which spills over into finishing that paper or saving money).
✅ It teaches you that you are stronger than your cravings (for food, for attention, for validation).
✅ It creates space for answers you’ve been too busy to notice.
You might also love this article – one of our most shared.
This Is Your Sign to Stop Doing It Alone
Women inside TechMae have been exactly where you are—navigating faith, fasting, and figuring it all out in their 20s. Come find your people.
