Immersion in Imagery

Over the past 2 weeks, I've discussed Drawing Your Emotions... then Writing Your Emotions. This week, I discuss using imagery to better learn yourself (among other things).

Day #23: Choose a quote that means something to you...

I could sit here forever trying to pick JUST ONE quote to share. I'm an avid reader, an ever-writer and so... words are my life.

For a collection of quotes I generally like to share with you that you can relate to recovery, check out the tab in my blog header called Inspirational & Self-Affirming Quotes.

For some more poignant ones, check out this video I made last night: Arielle Makes You A Vision Board. It's cheesy little me making a vision board just for you and you will be immersed in a variety of beautiful, inspirational, and thought-provoking quotes and images.

If you don't feel like clicking on links today (though I highly, highly - yes, HIGHLY) recommend it, I'll leave you with this gem I've long adored:

What lies behind us 

and what lies before us 

are tiny matters 

compared to what lies within us.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Day #22: Keep YOU, Kick ED!

I'm lucky enough to be able to say that my identity without my eating disorder is a strong one. I've left my eating disorder behind. My blog is not about my journey through recovery, because I'm already free. It's about helping others by sharing what I've learned and spreading positivity and hope.

So today, I'm tweaking my response to the blogger prompt of:

Did you ever feel you couldn’t tell where you ended and your ED started? Many people find it difficult to fathom their identity separate from their eating disorder. Who are you? What makes you – you? How do you tell the difference between the eating disorder and you? Why is it important to find you identity and recognise it as being separate from your eating disorder?

and instead I'm going to share with you how YOU can be more than your eating disorder - because you're fabulous! And because I already know what makes me ME! (And you do too, if you've read my blogs these past 5 years.)

I think wondering how to fill the gap your eating disorder previously filled is very common. But remember—only you can answer the question of what to do next.

And there is so much waiting for you. There are a thousand possibilities at your fingertips, from the simple every day things to the more complex life goals. You just have to ask yourself one question.

What do you want to do?

It’s an open question with many possible answers…and that’s the beauty of it.

What's in your head and your heart? What are your passions? What makes you feel good?

Do you want to make new friends? Do you want to go back to school? Do you want to get out in the job world? Do you want to pursue a dream you’ve often had in the back of your mind? Do you want to have a family? Do you want to travel?

Now comes the obvious thought: we can’t always do what we want to do. Finances get in the way. Time can be an issue. A lot of things can prevent us from doing what we want to do. BUT—and this is a big but—you never let things be an issue when finding a way to fit your eating disorder into your daily life, did you?

Granted, money doesn’t grow on trees and lots of things that are very important take up our time. Understandable. Valid. But if you really want something, you can achieve it. And don’t let anything stop you.

Most importantly, think about what would make you happy. Come up with three things.

Then find a way to incorporate them into your life. Fill that gap. There’s no charge for that kind of fill-up.

Best of luck! - and to help inspire you, I made you a vision board! Yes, I did! I made YOU a vision board! Check it out: