I can remember being a lot younger and starting to develop a fear of food. I thought that if I could control what I ate maybe it would lead to controlling certain areas of my life. As time went on this idea started to become stronger, and I started restricting what I ate until eventually I was hardly eating anything at all.
At first the weight loss made me feel proud. All around me people were noticing that I was getting skinnier, and so my anorexia became something I flaunted – something that was seen as impressive in certain circles. It wasn’t until the physical effects truly kicked in that people around me began to take notice and question what was happening.
It has been a difficult journey since then. With the help of professionals, family and friends, I have been learning how to go back into the real world and relearn how to eat like a normal person again. Small steps are key – introducing foods gradually; changing habits; developing new relationship with food etc etc. It is very hard but still something that is achievable if you’re willing to put the effort in.
Recovering from anorexia has been one of the hardest and most rewarding journeys of my life so far, however, it isn’t something you ever fully “conquer” - recovery is an ongoing process no matter how long you have been dealing with the issue for. Despite difficulties facing me day-to-day, by taking things one meal at a time, I know will be able to overcome this obstacle.