11 Things That Make Recovering From An Eating Disorder Worth It | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

11 Things That Make Recovering From An Eating Disorder Worth It

You've worked so hard, don't stop now.

13
11 Things That Make Recovering From An Eating Disorder Worth It
Unsplash

In This Article:

Eating disorders suck.

Recovering from one sucks even more.

The only difference between the two is that recovery is actually worth it.

Ten million Americans suffer from an eating disorder every single year. That's ten million people with a little voice in their head telling them they aren't good enough, that they're not worth taking up space on this earth.

These people are our mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, best friends, girlfriends, boyfriends, cousins, and even the cashier you greet at the grocery store every week.

Recovery brings so much freedom that's been missed out on for however long an eating disorder was the center of our life.

For me, that was four years. Those four years were filled with anxiety and self-hate that made it difficult to get up and face the world every day. I was diagnosed in 2014, but didn't fully step onto the recovery train until 2017, and didn't actually beat the disorder for good until 2018.

Now that it is almost 2020, I feel like I can list three million reasons why recovering from an eating disorder is actually worth it in the end...

I can drink a Starbucks holiday coffee and not give it a second thought. 

I figured out what ranch was, and I never looked back. 

I can actually fall asleep at night relatively quickly because my mind isn't going a million miles a minute (at least most nights I can). 

I can go out with friends to a bar and not worry about how many liquid calories I consumed. 

I can make it through the holiday season without needing to take a timeout from people. 

Making spontaneous plans are no longer a nightmare. 

I can share my story with others who are struggling and show them that there is hope for the future. 

I am truly beginning to love who I see in the mirror. 

I can go to a workout class and not have to be the "best" or "skinniest." 

 Food is meant to be enjoyed, not just meant to be a source of energy. 

 Recovery is worth it because being happy is better than any other feeling in this world. 

Eating disorders are very secretive and it's very hard for someone struggling to reach out for help on their own. If you or someone you know is struggling, be courageous and reach out to the NEDA helpline at 800-931-2237.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
10 Life Lessons For The Camp Counselor
madison miller

Spending five, 10 or even more weeks in the outdoors leading elementary to high school aged kids for a week at a time is unique, to say the least. You see things in yourself you didn't think were there and experience emotions you can not explain. What you learn is valuable for more than just camp, but extends to life after the summer.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Things You Can Get Away With Now That You're At College

83% of my trends in college would have been shamed in high school.

1242
college life
Google Images

Transitioning from high school to college can be a stressful experience, especially if you're like me and hate change. Over the past two years I've realized there's many things I couldn't get away with in High School that are typically applauded in college.

1. Eat

Keep Reading...Show less
Blair Waldorf

Life is hard. You know what makes it even more tough? Living with chronic b*tch face (CBF). This condition is so debilitating that I have decided to chronicle the 10 things everyone who suffers from CBF experiences. Who better to help me than the queen of CBF herself, Blair Waldorf?

Keep Reading...Show less
Harvard Students

I thought senioritis in high school was rough until I became a college senior about to go into the real world. I'm supposed to have everything figured out, right? I mean I went through four years of tough classes and serious self-searching (and crying). What I found overall was Senioritis sneaking up on me.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

8 Texts You Get From Your High School Friends

You might not see them everyday anymore, but you're still friends and your text messages prove it.

734
High School Friends
Ashlynn West

It takes a little while to get used to not seeing your high school best friends every day. Going away to college causes a lot of changes, but one thing that will never change is my love for my high school BFFs, and the texts that I get from them. Here are just 8 of the texts I get from them on the weekly:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments