In this life, in this stage of wanting recovery, or of being in recovery, what gives you hope?
Perhaps it's a large goal, like wanting to have a child one day.
Perhaps it's a smaller idea, like being able to truly be yourself around a particular friend.
Hell, it could even be a soothing cup of tea late at night, when you're snuggling into your sofa, reveling in the time to yourself at the end of a long day and feel at peace.
Today, I'm not talking about plans you have to make or concepts you need to manage in order to keep going. I'm talking about hope. Pure, simple, unique-to-everyone hope.
What gives you hope? For the future? For each day as it stands alone?
Figure out what gives you hope. And if you can't think of something, you're not trying hard enough.
You may not have a support system. Your family maybe hurting your recovery rather than helping it. You may have been abused or bullied or treated unfairly. You may feel completely alone. You may be sick. You may be tired. You may be busy beyond belief.
But there is always hope. It's up to you to find it. I promise you, no matter how bleak things seem, the hope is there. It may be a tiny sliver barley showing itself... but it is there. And if you don't find it and hold it close, you're only keeping yourself in the dark.
Move towards the light, people! Grab the hope.
I'm trying to find some hope, a reason to walk on... Right now it's quite difficult, but I keep my eyes open.
ReplyDeleteWhen I'll find a reason to live, I'll bear all the obstacles in my way and I'll smile only because I will be happy about who I am...
Thanks so much for sharing your encouragement and light. I was anorexic when I was 15... it took me more than twenty years to recover from the residual mental effects. Acceptance and love for yourself is a worthy and achievable goal.
ReplyDeleteThis got me thinking about what gave me hope during my recovery. But to be honest, I found that I've never had hope in recovery, I've never believed it could happen or would be real or had faith in it.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted it, and so I fought for it and slowly somehow made it a reality.
I had goals and things I wanted to do, but they didn't give me hope, because hope implies that I belived I would actually get to do those things, and I didn't. Not sure if that makes sense but I don't think having goals necessarily gives you hope or belief or faith in the possibility of recovery. But I DO think it gives you something to focus on and work towards, something that makes it worth doing. Anyhow, just my thoughts on that :)
Something that has given me, and continues to give me a lot of hope during my recovery was meeting people (like you!) who were *truly* recovered. I was able to see how bright and happy they were and I came to believe that it really was possible to be completely free from the monster of ED.
ReplyDeleteI was also largely motivated to recover by my desire to be in a position where I could reach out to and help others.
P.S.- I was just watching some of your videos on YouTube (which I thoroughly enjoy) and saw your vid about going back to school! How exciting! Have you heard back yet? I am starting an MSW program in the fall as well and I graduated from undergrad in 2006, so I'm a little nervous that it will take me awhile to get back "in the groove" but I'm super excited as well!