I’m writing today to tell my story of endurance and resilience. It all started two years ago when I was first diagnosed with an acute eating disorder. I was scared and overwhelmed – but most of all, I felt like a burden to myself and those around me.
My journey with overcoming this disorder has been difficult, emotional, and at times downright frustrating. All along the way, I’ve had people who have supported me and never judged me no matter how long it took for me to get back on track. Sooner or later, however, I came to realize that in order to fully recover, I had to take matters into my own hands.
Daily affirmations and personal mantras become my lifeline. When nothing else seems to help, this is what got me through the tough days when getting out of bed felt like a costly challenge: “You are strong. You are capable."
Surrounding yourself with individuals who never failed to remind you of your strength makes the toughest battles easier. Even if they didn’t know it, these friends and family members kept me from completely giving up on myself during my darkest moments; their words that “you can do it” were always ringing in my ears even on days when positivity seemed slim looking in the mirror. Together with professional help from dietitians as well as trusted counselors—who provided non-judgmental safe spaces throughout it all—the hard work finally paid off when I was declared officially recovered by medical professionals after two painstaking years of healing.
I hope this post sheds light upon how real mental health issues such as an acute eating disorder can be faced head-on if you lean into what calms you—from positive affirmations to seeking counseling for your journey—as well as those around who bolster your will to live vibrantly again.