Important things to Remember

I believe that recovery is a journey, not a destination.  The journey is filled with hills and valleys, turns, twists, and roadblocks.  Here are some important things to remember as you make your way along this incredibly difficult path of recovery... 

• There is no such thing as a "perfect recovery."
• There is no way to "fail" at recovery.
• Recovery must be your number one priority.
• You are much more than an eating disorder. 
• You deserve to love and be loved.
• You are never stuck.  Change is always taking place.
• Slips are a normal part of the recovery process.
• Recovery is very difficult, especially because the rewards are not immediate.
• You will never be "sick enough," "thin enough," or "perfect enough" for an eating disorder.
• At first, new ways of thinking and behaving are always difficult, but they will get easier over time.
• The unknown is incredibly anxiety producing until it is known.  Act now and your anxiety will decrease.
• There is no way to keep "part" of an eating disorder.
• Although you can't control triggers, you can control how you react to them.
• A slip does not mean you have failed.
• Recovery is incredibly difficult, but it can't be more difficult than living with an eating disorder.
• Other people are in charge of their own emotions, thoughts, values and behaviors.
• The only way to achieve your dreams is to do it without the eating disorder.
• Being "recovered" does not mean that life is perfect or you are happy all of the time.
• Life is difficult, with or without an eating disorder.  Hopefully without the eating disorder you can be more prepared for the difficulties in life.
• You are always making progress in recovery.
• If you don't try to recover, you will never know if it is worth it.
• PEOPLE DO RECOVER.
• The goal of every eating disorder is ultimately death.
• You are in more control when you fight the eating disorder than when you listen to it. 
• Emotions will pass.  They will not kill you.
• There will never be the "right time" to recover, you just have to start where you're at.
• Discomfort is a sign that you are making changes.
• You do not need to be motivated or "want recovery" in order to work towards recovery.  
• Recovery is possible for everyone, no matter your age, size, race, IQ, number of years with the disease, number of treatments, etc.
• You are not invincible.  Your body is taking a toll.
• Using your words to communicate to others is more effective than using your body.
• You have permission to be exactly who you are. 
• "Fat" is not a feeling.  Dig deeper and discover what is truly going on.
• You never deserve to punish yourself. 
• It is never too late to change how your day is going.
• You are special because you are you, not because you have an eating disorder.
• You would never tell your best friend what you tell yourself inside your head. 
• You are not the cause of other people's problems.  
• Eating does not make you undisciplined.  Eating is essential to life.
• You can never be in control of everything in life. 
• Insight doesn't carry the day, action does.
• Recovery is not possible if you are not willing to be at a healthy weight and eat in a balanced way.
• If you scrutinize and check your body enough you will always find something wrong with it.
• You are worthy because you exist.  You never have to earn love.  
• Recovery does not have to be done alone.  It shows strength and courage to ask for support.
• It is not possible to negotiate with an eating disorder.
• You do not have to be sick for people to pay attention to you or care about you.
• You are not truly living when you have an eating disorder.
• You are doing the best you can.  AND you can try harder.