Today we discussed a variety of recovery issues. We talked about finding balance in how we use our time and energy, how we interact within our relationships, and how we find ways to get our needs met. We talked about taking power back from our urges by acknowledging, distracting, and self-soothing. We also talked about the things in which we place our purpose and self-worth. We are more than our identities that we have associated ourselves with, and if we can let that go, we discover who we really are. We discussed the process of teasing out what thinking/feeling serves the eating disorder, and what serves the needs of our authentic self.
Next Alumni Support Group: Sunday, May 4th, 4:00pm- 5:30pm.
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2 comments:
Wow - I guess there were so many topics it was hard to know what to respond to. I was just rereading the theme and "ways to get our needs met" popped out at me as an important topic. I'm trying to determine the what, when, and how of my needs. Sometimes the eating disorder points out that I need something with an urge to binge, restrict and/or purge. I don't always know what the need is (actually usually I don't know) but I've found that connecting with someone else is very helpful at that time. Not tomorrow or the next day but immediately (or as immediately as is practically possible). Even if it is just to say hello. It helps if I admit to the person that I am feeling "out of sorts" (my generic term for that feeling you get when you are not sure what the feeling is but you know it's not good.) I have friends that I can tell I am having an urge but they are not always available so sometimes the reaching out consists of just saying hello, I was just wondering what you were up to. The important piece seems to be just human connection.
Human Connection! I just had a very timely eye-opening experience. I am participating in a workshop focused on establishing goals and direction (with emphasis to education and career paths). Afterwards, I had an incredible conversation with a fellow participant. She reminded me that I shouldn't allow the eating disorder to suppress my self-esteem and minimize my core values. We all have so many promising attributes to share! Back in my room, I sifted through files and found my Tapestry journal. Reading the entries from Thalia's workshop really helped me regain perspective on the direction I want to go and how my current state of affairs influences that direction. Through one conversation I was able to rekindle the energized feeling of a youth full of promise and excitement. A strong testament to the power of Human Connection!
Leisel
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