With Thanksgiving being this week, I wanted to remind you of the reasons we celebrate the holiday because Ed can try to convince us otherwise. Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for who we have in our life and how much our life is filled with love and gratitude for ourselves and others. Spending time with family and making memories is what it’s all about.
I know you may get overwhelmed with all the obsessive thoughts you may be faced with, but switch your thinking (it can be done) to a positive by saying positive affirmations and mantras and push Ed aside. Be in the present moment with friends and family and feel the experience for all that it is rather than being caught up with Ed.
Take some deep breaths. Be proactive and make a plan if you get into trouble –call a friend, bring affirmation cards with you, bring your journal, distract by watching TV or converse with family, bring a small tangible object that makes you smile and gives you strength. If you are overwhelmed with all the food around, remove yourself from the kitchen and go chat with family or make a phone call or text someone to check in. When it comes time to eat dinner, respect the food for the medicine it is to nourish your brain and body to keep you healthy. Thanksgiving dinner is just that, dinner. Remember, there is no such thing as bad foods. It’s all ok to eat.
Yes food is around during this time, but concentrate on the family and friends you are with and tell Ed to get lost. You are making and taking great steps down your recovery path. Tell Ed you don’t want him to be part of your holiday season. Tell him he is not welcomed and he needs to leave you alone. If you keep telling him that and are proactive and committed to recovery, he does go away. Stay strong and know you are not alone during this Thanksgiving. Fight for yourself and fight for your recovery. It’s all worth it. I’ll be thinking of you all.
With health, hope and strength,
Cheryl
