You should never stop learning...

Don't feed the negative thought process...

Challenge yourself mentally

Help yourself learn how to change and grow. 

Too many people hide from their own emotions because they don't know how to cope or deal with them. 

Learning to communicate effectively; 

It can often be confronting, but communication is an important key to living life and having whole and fulfilling relationships with others.  

That doesn't mean we can't learn. 

The mind is the most powerful tool we have, so we shouldn't let it go to waste. 

Often, instead of thinking about finding solutions to problems, we stay focused on the issue and how it makes us feel and it's a vicious cycle to be caught in. 

If we don't challenge ourselves and we allow our thoughts to take over, this way can lead to more complication, more misunderstanding, more anxiety, depression and fear.  

Challenge yourself 

Think positive thoughts! 

Analyse your emotions not hide from them 

Challenge yourself to move forward  

Don't give into the despair and blackness which is all too easy 

I challenge you to find a way to keep moving forward....

Start building your mental strength today. You got this :) 

***Mental Health Awareness***

Others can only do so much. 

You should never rely solely on anyone.  

The point of a professional in conjunction with family and friends is purely for you to create a support network while you work on helping yourself, find your way to the right things that work for you.  

At the end of the day you are responsible for that, no one else.  

No matter what your diagnosis, you are not your symptoms. 

Don't let them control you.  

Knowing them, understanding them and learning ways to live with them is what should be your main focus in order for you to get better, live a full and productive life.  

Not the diagnosis or the symptoms, they are only the first steps. 

Until you realise and understand this important point and that your next step to recovery is action and planning.....you will only continue to go around in circles. 

Think about, yes. Process it, yes. Then you move forward. What's next?

It's hard, very hard, make no mistake about that but so are other things life throws at us. 

People learn to live with many types of conditions both physically & mentally, it's just a matter of finding the right strategies, mindset and support. 

There is endless help & resources available out there but sometimes you have to seek it out. 

Our mental health system is understaffed and overwhelmed so take some initiative for yourself. 
The mental health system can only do so much, so it's up to YOU to come up with strategies to implement as well then talk them over with your supports.

It's all about perspective and change, don't give yourself a life sentence by being a victim to your own mental health. 

Keep strong, you got this. :) 

Living with ED and those special occasion....

So I over indulged for the Christmas and New Year period how about you? 

Hoping you’re not too hard on yourselves for it because you shouldn't be.
I'm okay with it, because I'm not allowing myself to mentally associate an enjoyable evening with friends and family by the amount of food or drink I consumed.

In fact don’t even acknowledge anymore what I eat or drink in these situations now.
Positive self-talk is a must and it is through this I have been in recovery for so long.

I allow myself to wallow in the joy rather than what I once would have despised myself for. 
I don't regret that I had so much because it was fun and I enjoyed it, my night was full of laughter & happiness and I won't allow guilt to creep in and taint an experience anymore.
I did nothing wrong and the food I ate wasn't even that bad if I allow myself to think about it....
I've said it before in previous blogs about ed. 
There is nothing wrong with a little bit of indulgence sometimes! It's not an everyday thing. 
It took me a long time to see this but....
That's how I choose to look at it now and you can too, one day.

So how can you deal with these things? 

Rather than hate myself before and after an event and dread the lead up to it I prepare.
Say for maybe a week either side? 
I condition & prepare myself mentally and physically. 
Mentally - with only good thoughts of fun/happiness, catching up with people and the excitement of the event and I will be grateful for being able to participate in these wonderful occasions. 
Physically - I will eat heaps of fruit and veg and put other good stuff into this awesome body of mine that helps carry me through my life...to help nourish and feed it for a night of partying ;) 
The after part is kind of a detox too, I guess and that will help me feel physically better and get back on track to feeling okay about me, should I have any doubts creeping in; not likely these days I'm happy to say.

Lots of water, which is important too because dehydration can also make you feel really crappy. 
Hope that all makes sense and is helpful

Remember your thoughts can be so damaging or they can be a positive influence; in all aspects of your life. 
You do have that power and control within you and you need to find your strength to override the bad thoughts. 
As always.....I believe in you, you got this!