Finding New Meaning & Purpose After an Eating Disorder

In honor of National Eating Disorder Awareness week, I’ve decided to write a little bit about life after an eating disorder and somethings that you may have already or soon will consider. 

So here you, well into your journey of recovery after an eating disorder. Congratulations on getting here! You’ve put in a lot of hard work to get here, and I’m extremely proud of you! At some point along your journey, you probably realized that your eating disorder became your identity and gave your life meaning. I know that when I ask clients, “What are your thoughts about living your life without your eating disorder?”, they respond with something along the lines of, “I don’t know who I would be without.” 

At this point in your recovery, you’ve probably started thinking about all of this, and what life will be like when your eating disorder is no longer driving your bus and no longer in charge. If you are someone who would answer the same question above the same way many of my clients do, you know that you need to find that new thing or things that you feel brings meaning and purpose to your life. But just a heartfelt hint; your life has meaning and purpose already because you are  who you are!! I understand though that sometimes that might not feel like it’s enough so keep on reading…

Finding a new identity: Your eating disorder probably took up the majority of your time. Now you have all of this time on your hands and the possibilities of what you can fill that time with are endless! This might be a good time to brainstorm about what you want in life and for your future. Here are some areas/ideas you might consider:

• Finding a new hobby or returning to old ones

• Going to school or returning to school

• Pursuing a career or finding a new one

• Volunteering for a cause you are passionate about

• Adopting a pet

• Reconnecting with friends and family

• Reconnecting with spirituality and faith

• Traveling 

• Starting a family

• Etc.

Filling your life with what you value, find important, and matters most: Maybe at some point in your recovery you realized that you and your eating disorder have very different values. Now is the time to reclaim your values; the things that matter most to you in life. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to make a list of them and place the list somewhere that you can see it daily to serve as a reminder. Here are some of the common values and things that matter most to some of my clients:

• Family

• Friendship

• Adventure

• Financial Security

• Independence 

• Freedom from the eating disorder

• Love

• Loyalty

• Honesty 

• Hard work

• Fun

• Spontaneity

• Connection

• Service

• Health

• Any many many others! 

Now it’s your turn to make your own lists. Remember this is your time to shine and thrive, not your eating disorder’s! Happy Friday!