I Spent Seven Days as a Seventh-day Adventist

“Our world is made up of so many different philosophies, and they’re what shape us as people, our values, morals, beliefs and actions. So, I’m going to try out every religion in the world.”

That’s my mission. Each week, I’ll research a new religion and live by their rules, practices and customs for seven days. I’ll share what I learned, what I loved, and what I’ll be leaving behind.

Because I believe a well-rounded person is made up of many different stories and lessons.

This week I stepped into the world of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. What intrigued me most was their deep sense of intention, behind food, dress, prayer, even rest.

But before I dive into my experience, let’s look at where it all started.

A Brief History of the SDA Church

The Seventh Day Adventist Church was officially established in 1863 in the United States, growing out of the Millerite movement, which had predicted Christ’s return in 1844. When it didn’t happen this became known as 'The Great Disappointment'.

From the ashes of that unmet expectation, a new theology was built, one centred on the idea that Christ had entered a new phase of heavenly ministry rather than returning to Earth.

One of the most influential figures in the church’s formation was Ellen G. White, considered by SDA members to be a prophet. Her visions and prolific writings (over 5,000 articles and 40 books) have shaped the church’s doctrine and lifestyle.

Among the key beliefs of SDA:

• The Sabbath should be observed on Saturday, not Sunday.

• A strong focus on healthy living and holistic diets.

• Jesus is coming back soon, really soon.

• Prophecy and scripture are central to faith.

• The “Sunday Law,” a belief that one day laws may be introduced forcing Sunday worship, is a major concern.

My Week as a Seventh-day Adventist

Here’s what I committed to:

• No pig products or shellfish

• No caffeine, alcohol or tobacco

• Eating whole foods (minimising anything processed)

• Modest dress, no tight or revealing clothes

• Abstinence

• Observing the Sabbath (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset)

• Daily Bible reading

• Volunteering and being of service

• Limiting media that isn’t related to spirituality or personal growth

Observations

The Bible Study: The topic of the session I attended was 'wholeheartedness'. The depth of knowledge was incredible, people could quote scripture off the top of their heads and link stories like biblical encyclopedias.

The Service: Very community-focused. There was a large emphasis on vulunteer work, female pastors, and children participating largely.

The People: Incredibly warm and present. I asked the pastor if the intensity of the faith ever felt overwhelming. She said, “Before I accepted Jesus, yes. But now? It’s freedom.”

The Food: Saying no to pork or caffeine wasn’t as hard as I thought. In fact, it became a little ritual, each ‘no’ reminded me of God. That simple mindfulness turned food into a kind of prayer.

Modesty + Media: Einstein wore the same suit every day to conserve mental energy. The less energy you put into things that don’t matter, the more you can give to what does. For SDA, that’s God. There’s a clarity that comes from simplifying. Dressing modestly and limiting media actually gave me more headspace.

What I’ll Be Taking With Me

Intention. Everything SDA do is imbedded with purpose. Whether it’s what you eat, how you dress, or when you rest, it’s all about aligning your life with your values. I loved that. It made even small moments feel sacred. However, with intention can also come intensity.

What I’ll Be Leaving Behind

Total Enmeshment. I deeply respect how committed SDA members are. But for me, having every single part of my life entwined with the church felt like too much. The pressure to filter every action, every thought, through the lens of religion felt more stifling than freeing at times.