Stage 1: Confidence

When you are first starting the fast, you are feeling confident. You have done this every year since you were Bar/Bat Mitzvahed. It is no big deal anymore! You've got this.

Stage 2: Scared

As soon as your confidence wears off, you are feeling scared. 24 hours is longer than you think especially with no drinks or food. Are you actually going to be able to do it for the whole day?

Stage 3: Lying to yourself

After the first couple of hours when your hunger and thirst start to become apparent, all you can do is tell yourself you are fine when in reality, you know you are far from it. If you do not keep reassuring yourself that you are fine then you know you will cave. Caving is not an option.

Stage 4: Hangry

Being hungry and angry is never a good combination. At this point you are feeling positive that you could destroy anything that crosses your path.

Stage 5: Tired

You have absolutely no energy left at this point. You are leaving services and you are exhausted. All you want is to go home and nap but you are not even sure if you have enough energy to go to your bed.

Stage 6: Pure bliss

As soon as the sun sets and you are finally able to break the fast, it feels like the best feeling in the world. You don't even want real food you just want to go straight to the dessert.

If you are preparing for a fast this Yom Kippur, I hope it is an easy one.