Recovery IS Possible

It happened at Easter?

I don?t remember anymore when exactly my anorexia started. I can?t remember a date. I just slipped into it. It was a slow process? so slow that I did not even notice it at first.

I do ? on the other hand ? very well remember when my bulimia took over. It all started on an innocent Easter Sunday morning, one month before my 18th birthday?..

In Austria, we celebrate Easter in the morning?. and my family gathers together and a big breakfast is served with all different kinds of foods. In addition, we get lots of chocolate and candy from the Easter Bunny. Needless to say, during my eating disorder struggles, Easter was one of my least favourite days of the year.

I was sitting with my parents and siblings at the table, which was quite a challenge for me in itself?I felt overwhelmed: There was so much food and it scared me. And then I just lost it? I started eating, and even when we had already finished with breakfast and everything was already cleaned up again, I continued eating in my room. I did not know what was happening with me. I did not know what had come over me. This had never happened before. I just could not make myself stop. I just ate and ate and ate?. And my belly got bigger and bigger and bigger until it really hurt so much that I just had to stop. I was still not satisfied and could have gone on with eating for hours, but my body was completely stuffed. This was my first real binge and the beginning of a new chapter in my life??????

It took me a long while before I felt really comfortable with the holidays. However, I did find a few things that helped me get through them and I?d like to share them with you now:

Make a list of things you can do to help relax and distract yourself from eating disorder thoughts and behaviours (i.e. take a relaxing hot bath with aroma oils and candles, go for a relaxing walk, call or visit a supportive friend, read your favourite book, write in your diary, paint your emotions, ?)
Focus on aspects of life unrelated to food and weight! Take a break from the repetitive messages about body image on television or in magazines. Do something you would not normally do?go for a hike, volunteer for charity work, or visit with friends. The holidays are a time for reflection and celebration, so make sure you take time to do both with the people you care about.
Plan time for yourself. You need to rest and take care of yourself. It is very important to take special care of yourself during the holidays.

Today, I don?t have my eating disorder anymore. I enjoy holidays, especially Easter. I have many good childhood memories attached to this special holiday?. There are certain traditions in Austria connected to this day, and now that I am recovered, I am able to fully participate in them without feeling guilty.

You can do it too. It will take some work and patience, but you can turn Easter and any other holidays into a time to celebrate, rather than a time to fear.

I wish you a Happy Easter and hope you spend it together with the people you love!

All the best to you!

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