Author: Breanna Mills R.D.
Recovering from an eating disorder is an incredibly rewarding experience. At Westwind, we encourage our clients to consider what their “whys” are for recovery, the reasons why you are pursuing recovery and looking for freedom from the eating disorder. In times of struggle, it can be easy to forget why you chose recovery in the first place, and being curious about your recovery whys can help remind you in those hard times and bring back in your compassionate voice.
Connecting to your recovery whys can be helpful, regardless of what stage you are at in your recovery. It can help you connect and re-connect to your passions, your interests, goals and values. They can be something big or small, like being able to go and get a drink at your favourite coffee shop or go on that trip you’ve always dreamed of. It can be getting back to things you want to have again or bringing in things that you’ve never experienced. Having an idea of your whys helps to remind you of all the amazing things that are waiting for you in life after the eating disorder.
It may be helpful to create a list, artwork, playlist or whatever expression feels good to you to represent your recovery whys. Having this visual reminder can be useful in times of struggle, when the eating disorder is loud, or when you just need that “pick me up” in your recovery journey.
Highlighting for yourself what you want your life to look like can be helpful when the eating disorder is focusing on the short-term discomfort of engaging in recovery actions. Some people may not know what their life looks like without the eating disorder and that is okay. Brainstorming your recovery whys can help you consider some possibilities of what you do want life to be like and can help cultivate hope that it is possible to get there.
Comentarios