MOTIVATION IN EATING DISORDER TREATMENT
I recovered from anorexia to many things- to love, to connection, to joy, to energy, to balance, to food freedom, to- well you get the idea- many things. This month I received a group text from my friends to go out with them on a Saturday night. I typed “I’m in” with no hesitation. I then marked it on my calendar and moved on with my day. Two weeks later I met them under a Gazebo we rented at a restaurant at the shore. With the sand under my feet and the smell of summer in the air I had a glorious evening.
I recovered to going out with friends again. I recovered to laughing out loud when we tell hilarious stories about our teenage years. I recovered to sharing a pizza with a childhood friend who I met at age 5. I recovered to putting on one outfit before I leave the house. I recovered to the ability to stay present and focused when I have conversations with friends. I recovered to smiling with joy. I recovered to making silly jokes. And sharing appetizers. And dancing.
Motivation in eating disorders can be tricking because it is seeped with ambivalence, hopelessness, and burn out. It can be hard for others to understand how difficult it is when you suffer from a psychological mental disease that can be fatal. I was there- believe me-my motivation waxed and waned, but each morning I got up and focused on one thing that my eating disorder took away from me- something I desperately wanted back.
The journey to recovery from an eating disorder is a long and arduous path. Motivation helps you to stay on the path when your ambivalence is high; when the path feels like its crumbling, when you want to throw in the towel, when fear rears its ugly head. Dig deep, lean on your support team, ask for help, and do your best to grab onto the light.
What is your motivation today? I’d love to hear from you. Please email me at mereditheob@gmail.com. Below is a link to FREE 30-day journal prompts to support you on your recovery journey.
Journal your way to recovery in 30 days
