1. You are not a bad sister. Or a bad daughter. Or a bad friend. Or a bad anything.
You are sick. You are suffering from a disease that has to do with genetics and brain chemistry and environmental factors and probably something much deeper than what our human minds can comprehend.
Try to bring curiosity, rather than blame, into this moment.
2. The point is not to look like you are changing so that the people you love are happy.
It is to actually change within yourself. And sometimes that requires dropping the act of "perfect patient" and letting your frightened, tender self be seen. Healing does not happen in comfortable places.
3. The night conversations with the other patients will stay with you longer than the therapy sessions.
Cherish the wisdom of your sisters, and pray for their recovery in addition to your own. You're a family now.
4. Some people are going to want you to stay the same.
They are not going to understand why you can't take shots with them. Why you have to get some sleep. Why you need to go to meetings. Why you can't have just a smoothie for lunch.
Don't get angry with them. It has taken you so long to accept that you have a disease, and this acceptance is a precious and personal thing. You can't expect everyone to share it. Remember your recovery is more important than their approval.
5. Just as important as eating the meal, recording the feeling, going to therapy...is awareness.
Don't turn recovery into a to-do list. One beautiful flower carries the same sacredness as an entire field. The more you turn your attention to this one, singular moment, the more healing and peace you will absorb.
As frequently and as authentically as possible.
7. Try not to take things personally.
When you let someone see your inner-light, and they shut their eyes and turn their heads--it doesn't make the light any less beautiful.
8. Invest in full recovery.
Recovery happens on a cellular level, deeper than thought and mental concepts. So forget about going in head-first. Go in soul-first. And then let go.
Adapted from original version as posted on Addiction Blog, 5/17/16
If you're struggling with an eating disorder, call the National Eating Disorder Association hotline at 1-800-931-2237.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
