Eating Disorder Recovery Mindset

“In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step back into safety.”

– Abraham Maslow

Eating Disorder Recovery has a lot to do with change of body, mind and spirit. Which is why I find this quote to be relevant and had me thinking about whats important, and how we tend to make decisions. We make decisions based on what we know, what we feel comfortable with, and what we expect the outcome to be. By making decisions based on these factors over and over again, there is very little progress. We all need to get uncomfortable emotionally if we want to take a step forward into growth.

Risks to take in life, involve trusting in yourself and trusting in the universe. Decisions we make are dependent on our subconscious mindset, so creating a mindset of abundance, hope and gratefulness can really allow us to trust more.  The number one thing that helps change this is: Engage in positive self-talk!

The way that you talk to yourself is your reality.  Thus, your results in the world all start and end with your thinking! So start to change this up with your internal dialogue. Encourage yourself. Compliment yourself. Reward yourself. But also make sure to stay realistic and grounded. It’ll help you stay focused on your journey and realistic about what you can achieve and how soon.

"Should I just tell myself to 'THINK POSITIVE'?"

Before I go into this post, I want to be clear that there is nothing actually "wrong" or "incorrect" about thinking positive. In fact, honestly think telling yourself positive things can help you turn around your mood, if said repeatedly and mindfully.

However "should-ing" yourself is the first red-flag that its not going to be very a very effective practice, second of all thinking positively isn't the only way to feel positive. In fact, removing judgment from our thoughts and our language can be even more beneficial in many way. The labeling of positive and negative, can get anyone into a trouble/moral dilemma and stuck in "black and white thinking.  

By having attachments to the outcomes of events and situations we are in, it can take us away from the purpose of the lesson from the event and the event in it self. Blocking us from feeling our feelings, since we may try to demand ourselves to see it "up-side". So take a deep breath and feel your feelings.

I do believe that speaking to yourself with affirmations, that speak abundance and health into our life is one of the best "positive thinking" that can be done by any individual daily. In other words, there is no way to "make it all better with a positive thought", its more about creating a mindset of abundance and to move cultivating a midset that is moving you closer to the things you want in your life.

Stripping Away Negative Body Image by Lillian Bustle

Eating Disorders, moving past the stigma...

Shame is an ugly, nasty, and happiness stealing emotion. There is little progress on the road to recovery if its plagued with shame, or stigma.

Shame can show up in two ways, external and internal.

External shame is this real or perceived lower status results in feeling worthless and thinking that you don’t have anything of value to offer the world. When others shame individuals the feeling of hopelessness and despair elevate in those already suffering.

What this looks like is: "You're fine, suck it up" or "Just eat something and get over yourself" or "I wish, I was that thin" or "I don't believe you have an actual problem, its all in your head" are just a few examples.

Internal shame is thisdeep rending of the soul that causes us to exclaim, “Why did I do that? I don’t have any self-control” or having other versions of negative self talk...

When anyone shames or stigmatizes themselves they move further from recovery and deeper into the trap of being sick.

Its the language that needs to change.

We can move from one side to the other by changing our word choice, changing our perspective, to start being vulnerable and have the courage to talk about topics that don't gloss over the issue but help face it.

It can start in therapy, in support groups with a close friend that understands. The change just has to start before anything gets better.