Author: Cindy Engelstad B.A. ICF
Eating disorder recovery is a challenging process emotionally, physically and mentally. There are days that make you feel empowered and fearless and totally in control and then there are days where you feel like giving up. In those moments, you will need to find the strength to keep choosing ED recovery. That can be one of the hardest parts about recovery – continuing to choose it, even when it feels hopeless or it doesn’t feel right. That’s where affirmations can come in handy. Using affirmations can be a powerful tool and incredibly supportive in recovery, to inspire you and help renew a sense of hope and commitment while developing a positive mindset.
If you’re not familiar with affirmations, they’re short statements that you can repeat to yourself, with the aim of changing your unconscious beliefs. Affirmations can feel a little strange at first. It can be difficult to know what to expect to feel, but the trick is not to expect anything at all. Saying an affirmation once won’t instantly silence the voice of the ED or prevent negative thoughts from ever creeping in again, but if you use them in combination with your other recovery strategies, they can be immensely helpful on those days when you’re struggling to find your strength.
Positive affirmations can be said throughout the day or throughout an activity to help support you in your recovery. Below are some recovery intentions and some corresponding affirmations. These are just examples, feel free to get creative, tune inwards and create the affirmations that speak to you.
Intention: To love your body regardless of your size or weight…
Affirmation: My happiness does not depend on my weight or size. My body deserves love.
Intention: To practice self-care…
Affirmation: I will choose behaviours that are good for me. I respect my body, and I’m going to give it the nourishment that it needs from me.
Intention: To ask for support…
Affirmation: I am not a burden when I ask for support. Asking for help is brave.
Intention: To challenge comparison…
Affirmation: I do not compare myself to others, we are all unique.
Intention: To be brave…
Affirmation: I am courageous and I will stand up for myself.
Intention: To start a new beginning…
Affirmation: My life is just beginning, not ending.
Intention: Accepting your past and looking forward to the future…
Affirmation: I am not defined by my past. I am creating a bright future for myself.
Intention: To practice confidence…
Affirmation: I am enough just the way that I am. I am strong, fierce and brave.
Intention: To enter eating disorder recovery…
Affirmation: The process of recovery may be challenging, but it’s worth it and I know it. I can do hard things.
Intention: To seek happiness…
Affirmation: I deserve to be happy and I deserve to fulfill my dreams. I am a positive and happy person.
Intention: To be kind to your body…
Affirmation: I deserve to treat my body with respect. My body gives me so much, and keeps me alive.
Intention: To practice self-love…
Affirmation: I will love and appreciate myself. I am learning and growing and loving myself more, every single day.
Intention: To cultivate strength…
Affirmation: Everyday I become stronger and healthier.
Remember the key to using affirmations to positively enhance your recovery journey is repetition, patience, compassion, reinforcement and time. If you find an affirmation that really resonates with you, it can be helpful to let yourself hear, see and feel them at the same time. You can say them however you like – write them on a sticky note that you put on your mirror, say them to yourself in the shower or say them out loud in the car. Keep choosing recovery, one affirmation at a time.