The content of this article may be sensitive to some readers.
My annual recovery article for February’s #NEDAwareness Week is here! It begins next week, but I wanted to get an early start. I write one every February to raise awareness of eating disorders, encourage others to take their first tentative steps into recovery, and explain that eating disorders are mental illnesses that can affect anyone of any age, race, gender, identity, or social status. Eating disorders can negatively impact anyone.
However, I’m not here to push my way of recovery on you, as it is a deeply personal journey and different for everyone. I am here to give you a little hope. Recovery is possible. It shifts and changes, much like bodies do in the recovery process and life in general.
It’s important to remember that your eating disorder can be defeated, but it is not an automatic or easy process.
The theme for this year’s #NEDAwareness week is “It’s Time to Talk About It,” which is exactly why I’m putting this article into the internet world. NEDA has also partnered with Instagram and Project Heal with support from Recovery Spark to “celebrate all of the people who make recovery possible” with the #RecoveryHeroes campaign.
I had to find the strength to fight my eating disorder’s siren call myself, but it was not a singular effort. I had an incredible support team who I would like to take the time to thank.
My first thank you goes to my parents, who saw me at my absolute worst, cried with me, and celebrated every tiny victory in my recovery. Whether it was finally eating a dinner roll from my favorite Italian restaurant or graduating after taking medical leave, they offered their unending support consistently throughout these last five years.
I’d also like to give a shoutout to my brother and the rest of my family for their encouragement and love. You all are the best.
To my partner—thanks for sticking by me, from our first official date before my admission to now. Your dinners are delicious and your support means a lot, even if it is often silent.
I’d like to extend some gratitude to my college friends, who helped me along the path of intuitive eating and self-love without even realizing it. Eating pesto tortellini while enjoying your company was a godsend.
To the staff at Brandywine Hospital and Penn State Medical Group Briarcrest—thank you. Thank you for giving me tools that I still use to combat this illness, even when I didn’t believe they would work and fought you at every juncture.
Another thank you is for those fostering true body positivity and recovery online. Thank you for sharing your stories and speaking your truths. It’s important that body positivity and recovery are happy things accessible to everyone, regardless of gender, identity, weight, shape, race or ability. Thanks for being a twinkle in what could be a dark, dreary internet sky.
To the person reading this, thank you. Thanks for supporting me and reading this article. Your readership means more than I can express here and is appreciated.
My sincere gratitude to anyone who has listened to me recount my story or anyone who has endured a slightly tipsy body positivity speech from me.
And lastly, to anyone in any stage of recovery or anyone dealing with an eating disorder—thank you. Your strength and compassion is what helped me realize I could recover, too. Your determination is inspiring and reassures me often.
Please remember to thank those who have positively supported your recovery.
If you’re struggling with an eating disorder, visit the National Eating Disorder Association’s website or call the hotline at 1-800-931-2237.