Topic Tuesday: Finding Strength

“Strength in the Struggle” (By: Emma Hawkins)

School EHhas never been one of the most fun things in the world for me. Having an eating disorder makes school even less fun, the constant fear of judgement, and your eating disorder telling you how you have to do all this stuff to be liked by people. But the truth is, you don’t need these people to approve of you. In fact, you can’t have everyone like you; there is no one in the world that is loved by everyone.

Something that helps me is reaching out. Believe me, I know it is easier said than done. It doesn’t even have to be with asking for help, it can just be writing a journal entry and having a friend or family member read it. Holding it in makes everything simmer and boil more. Your eating disorder will disagree with every single thing that you say. You have to fight. I always tell my friend, you don’t get any off days in recovery. Even if you are weight restored and have stuck to meal plan, you will still have to fight in some way shape or form. You have to let that empower you, instead of saying, “Why fight today if I will have to tomorrow?,” you have to say, “This will get easier to fight everyday I just have to take this one bite at a time.” That is what recovery is, fight a little bit harder everyday until it is easier to fight and win. Stay strong beautiful creatures.

About the Author
Emma Hawkins is a 14 year old freshman from Murfreesboro. She was in treatment at Renfrew of Brentwood. She has struggled with Anorexia and Bulimia since she was 9 years old. She plans on majoring in Early Childhood Education at Belmont University.