Recovering from an eating disorder means learning how to live without the bulimia, the anorexia, the binge-eating. It means having to learn how to eat again ‘normally’ without using food to cope.
Recovering from an eating disorder means learning how to feel. It means letting all of the feelings come up and sitting with them, without using the eating disorder behaviors to stuff them down, purge them out, or starve them away. It means allowing ourselves to actually feel them, process them, accept them, and let them go as scary and anxiety-provoking as they are. Remember, “This too shall pass.”
Recovering from an eating disorder means we have to let others in. It means learning how to let others be there for us and letting them support us while we do the work – the hard part of recovery – ourselves. It means opening up and sharing our feelings, thoughts and emotions with them whether they understand or not.
Recovering from an eating disorder means that we have to accept our body exactly as it is, flaws and all. It means we must give up the eternal pursuit of ‘thinness’ and reject society’s distorted perception of ‘beauty.’ Weight is just a number- throw out the scale!!
Recovering from an eating disorder means letting go. It means letting go of the comfort the eating disorder provided, letting go of the negativity, letting go of the self-criticism, the perfection and surrendering- letting it all go so that we can be free!
Recovering from an eating disorder means learning how to forgive. It means forgiving others for what has happened in the past and forgiving ourselves too– we must process our past and forgive every part of it so that we can heal.
Recovering from an eating disorder means that we learn to love ourselves and take care of ourselves. It means developing genuine love and gratitude for all of our parts – our body, mind and soul. It means realizing that we deserve to be happy and be loved and understanding that we are worthy of this love, happiness, and contentment.
Recovering from an eating disorder means that we accept ourselves fully and live in the present. It means that we aren’t ashamed of our past, we aren’t anxious or stressing out right now, and we aren’t afraid of what’s to come. We can deal with life effectively without dysfunctional coping mechanisms.
Recovering from an eating disorder means that we have to grow outside our comfort zone. Recovery is like an onion: there are many layers to peel away. Each layer brings with it new things to work on, new fears, new anxieties, and new things to learn about life and about ourselves. As we go through this process, we keep peeling back the layers and we learn how to better manage our lives and learn more about who we truly are.
Recovering from an eating disorder means believing in ourselves and believing that full recovery is possible. It means having faith in ourselves, the Universe, in life, trusting the process and knowing that everything happens for a reason.
Recovering from an eating disorder means breaking the chains – changing and growing and stretching beyond the limits of what you thought was possible – so that you can gain FREEDOM!!
Peace, Love + Freedom,
Beautiful Lauren, just beautiful and very right on. You are such an inspiration! I have a distinct memory of you writing “This too shall pass” on your hand with blue ink when we were in treatment together at Radar. So it made me smile when you included it here.
Love to you, and gratitude!!!
Thank you so much Julia!! I wrote this post a long time ago, but it is soo true. “This too shall pass” is one of my favorite quotes and yes I used to have to remind myself of that often! Haha, you made me smile today too, I have such fond memories of us back then
I appreciate your comment my darling, thanks for checking out the blog! Blessings!!
You’ll never understand the help you’ve given me by sharing your triumphs and falls with us.
Thank you!
Thank you so much Carla for your support and kind words, I am so grateful that you are here!!!!!
Thank you. That’s all I can say.
Thank you for your comment, Rebecca. You are so worthy of giving this amazing gift to yourself as well. Glad you are here
I love this Lauren!! So beautifully put as always
As I’ve gone through the process, now being a little ways down the road, I can almost tangibly see those layers being peeled back!! It’s such an amazing process and journey, and worth all the discomfort that it may bring. Having been working on the healing throughout this past year, I can understand so much more all that you are saying here. All so so so TRUE and inspiring!!! Thank you for writing this!!
I can’t imagine ever achieving that… i have had severe and enduring anorexia (sub type purging) for 30 years. At best for me recovery mean accepting some weight gain and working on re-engaging in society to have a better quality of life. I don’t think its realistic for me to expect more than that. To learn damage limitation, manage things in a better way.
Lauren, these posts are so incredibly uplifting, and since I seem to be in a constant struggle with anorexia, they are always timely and so helpful to me. Thank you for taking the time to share, and guiding us down this long difficult road. You give us hope that there is a light at the end of this bleak tunnel.
Thank you so much. I have been really struggling lately and this was like a God sign- it held everything I needed to hear. Thank you so much for being here for me.
You are amazing. Thank you for this post.
All I can say is thank you from bottom of my heart I am starting to live again I really hope I can do this.
You are so welcome, thank you for visiting my blog!
I BELIEVE IN YOU. You WILL get through this, FULL recovery IS POSSIBLE!!!!!
Blessings,
Lauren
Hi Lauren,
I am new to your site if that’s what it is called. It’s a total God job that I found you/this site. The timing was perfect and you are such a gentle guide for what I need. Thank you for your time and effort. I’ve dealt with using food my whole life and I’m 52. I’m 6 years sober and finally ready to give up the core addiction and learn to love and “accept” myself just the way I am. I’m so excited to see what God has in store for me. Thank you, thank you again!!!
Mary♥️
Hi Mary!
Thank you so much for your kind words, I so appreciate it Mary, and I am so happy that you found me!! I am SO PROUD OF YOU– 6 years sober is a HUGE accomplishment, and now it sounds like it is time for you to grow and learn and expand yourself EVEN MORE, by learning how to love and accept yourself. You are amazing, remember it is not always easy but if we never give up we will not fail. God has SO MUCH more in store for you in this life, it is just waiting to be discovered. Stay on the path, for you deserve your own love and happiness and you WILL break free!! I believe in you <3
Peace, Love + Freedom,
Lauren
Hi, I am just starting my healing journey so thank you for the perfect timing of this post x