My eating disorder was the worst it had ever been when I hit rock bottom. After being diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, I knew that something had to change. What followed was a long and hard journey of recovery filled with lots of highs and lows.
One of the quickest changes I made was to completely reevaluate my relationship with food. Instead of relying on restrictive diets or cutting entire food groups, I started focusing on fueling my body with the proper nutrition it needed to heal. Instead of dreading mealtimes, I started finding joy in trying new foods and preparing delicious recipes for myself.
I also began working on my overall mental well-being; through therapy and mindfulness practices such as yoga or journaling, I was able to learn how to get in touch with my feelings in a healthy way. It took a while for me to realize that self-love is key in overcoming anorexia-- once I did, I found solace in small acts of self-care such as taking walks or making time for friends and family.
Although recovery wasn’t always easy-- and there were days where I felt like giving up-- having patience throughout this process has been essential for me. After many months of painstaking work, what I’ve gained in return has been priceless: A newfound appreciation for life as well as genuine respect and love for my body that will last forever.