Relapse: Remembering What You've Learned

Last week's Wednesday video recapping and encouraging:

RELAPSES versus Setbacks

This week's video details the difference between setbacks/slip-ups and relapses, but I also provide encouragement, prevention measures, and how to improve your awareness.

Being Kind to Yourself Through Physical/Mental Recovery

Important topic this week, folks.

We're starting a new 4 week rotation this week! (Set-backs / Relapse / Relapse-Prevention)

This week's topic:

Week of March 4 - 10 - Being kind to yourself when new to recovery. Recognizing the struggle that might persist even when you are physically and behaviorally improved. Having compassion for the struggle. Setting up a strong support network to work through it. Not being HARD on yourself for having a hard time with it.

And the Winners Are...

Joy C!
Thaleia K!
Christina Z!
Chloe F!

I chose the winners of my giveaway at random, as all the awareness stories I received were fabulous. I am so proud of all your efforts.

When Joy hears negative body talk she stops it and takes her nieces on Operation Beautiful note drops! Go, Joy!
  
Middle Eastern Dance (belly dance) helped with Thaleia's recovery, so she is excited to use that as a medium to raise awareness. She is planning a dance showcase that will raise money for one of my favorite ED associations. As part of the program, she will provide information and resources. Yay, Thaleia!

Christina got a tattoo of the National Eating Disorder Recovery symbol. Friends are often intrigued by what it means and she shares her story of success. She says she makes sure that she is never ashamed by what she has been though and makes sure people know they are not alone. She shares this blog with friends that are struggling and has made her voice heard in smaller venues such as with co-workers, in school assignments, and classroom chat. Thank you, Christina!

Chloe says in Northern Ireland there is little to no awareness of eating disorders, so she has arranged to meet with Fixers.org.uk to start her own campaign called 'Can you stomach it?' The campaign is all about eating disorders and the issues that surround them in her own country as well as other countries. She has written articles for her University magazine, started a blog, and has begun talking more openly about her eating disorder on Facebook and with people. Great work, Chloe!

Joy, Thaleia, Christina, and Chloe - Please send me a FB message, Twitter direct message, or email with your contact info so I can mail you your e/d awareness bracelet. If I do not hear from you by the end of the week, I will attempt to contact you directly, but I do not have an email address for all of you. Thank you and I hope you enjoy the jewelry!

For those of you who would like to purchase an eating disorder awareness bracelet, you can do so here at my friend Mellissa's Etsy shop: Noor's Handmade Products

Each of the winners of my giveaway will receive one of these 4 unique bracelets:

And remember - awareness can continue all year long!

EDAW13: Arielle Gives Voice to EDNOS

Technically from last year's EDAW, but still remains super important:

EDAW13: Hey, Girls! You Need to Hear This!

I know I've posted this video before, but Eating Disorder Awareness Week is coming to a close and it bears repeating. Eating disorders are not caused by the media or by society, but the media and society do perpetuate unhealthy ideals for women. Our girls get mixed messages. They start to hate themselves or feel unsure about themselves at a very young age. One of the most important things we can do is show our girls that they are special and amazing regardless of the mixed messages that are out there. It's not too late to educate them, to hold them close, to boost them up, and to help them realize their own greatness.

I made this video a couple of weeks ago and have gotten really positive feedback regarding it. This is my message to the girls of the world. I'm passionate about what I say in this video. It is a video I made specifically for girls...the fantastic, amazing, wonderful creatures who grow up to be women. So if you have a sister, a daughter, a niece, a granddaughter, a friend - show this to her. And if you're an adult and you need this for yourself tonight, that's fine too.