Negotiating the Holidays & Recovering From ED Part 3

Today I will be reviewing 12 steps to negotiate the holidays while recovering from an eating disorder. The focus will be more on 'what to do' rather than 'what to avoid'. This presents potentially a very different perspective on the holidays. A perspective that allows for the possiblility of empowering the individual rather than being in a defensive out-of-control position. Those with eating disorders need to give themselves permission to enjoy the holidays focussing on relationships with people rather than a relationship with food. It allows the individual to quiet the mind from it's often relentless negativity that tears away any small amount of self-esteem left as a result of years of degrading the self! By shifting the focus onto relationships rather than food it allows the individual to step out (if only briefly)from the internal devastation and move toward being present and feel more alive. It allows the individual to part of rather than isolated from. This experience allows the possibilty for a sense of empowerment and inclusion. Remember for just today I can be myself - giving myself the permission to experience the greatest gift of the season - freedom from my own harsh critical internal self-talk. I can be myself and share that person with those around me just for today!