When I was struggling with my own eating disorder it became very clear to me that not a lot of people understood what I was going through, and when I was brave enough to talk about my illness, I felt insecure because of the stigma that having an eating disorder brought. There was a time I didn’t believe recovery would be possible for me. When I felt isolated and alone, I turned to NEDA for the encouragement to keep going when things got tough.
I firmly believe in the power of sharing our stories — it creates trust, openness, and genuine connection in a community of people who, more often than not, feel isolated and alone. When we see something with which we can relate to in another, we are more likely to connect with and learn from that person. I also believe that change cannot happen when we are completely comfortable, which is why I encourage leaning into that uncomfortability — both in their recovery and in life.
While reflecting on this past World Eating Disorders Action Day (June 2, 2018), I realized how much I love the word “action.” It’s about doing what we can to make a difference. On a personal level, when I think about action against eating disorders, I think about self-care.
Self-care is a practice of sitting with discomfort. It is more than a manicure, a massage, or even therapy and meditation. What lies behind all these acts of self-care that we deem so estimable? Why are these acts so difficult, and at times painful to practice, for some of us?
