brighter

I was very struck by the sentence “I don’t like having hips and periods”.

You like having hips and periods. All bodies like to be whole and healthy. Hips are part of a skeletal structure. Periods keep your hormones and electrolytes in balance. You need hips and periods whether or not the ED likes it.

No one likes the baseline transformations of recovery. It’s not all changes in the body. It’s completely restructuring your routine, your thoughts about yourself, and your perception of what it means to be healthy.

What you will like in recovery, however, is the freedom. You will be able to live a life where you are more than your hips and period. Where you are not measuring your worth in pounds, calories, and ED behaviors.

You want to recover. 

You deserve to recover.

You have to start before you’re ready.

Begin first by reaching out. In your area there are counselors, doctors, and nutritionists you may need to see regularly. This will help get your body to a place where you are safe and able to think clearly.

Dedicate yourself to your health.

Be selfish. Disobey the disorder. Get uncomfortable. Recognize the good days and the bad days as part of the process.

You will grow. You will expand. I don’t mean your weight. Sure, you might gain weight, but gaining your strength is necessary for gaining your whole, authentic self.

This is a journey, and you want a better life.

decide it will be a great day

tell yourself you’re happy (fake it till you make it)

set some goals

be kind to people

pet as much animals as possible

power through the tough moments

congratulate yourself