The only way to know that is by tapping into your inner body and your inner knowing…it’s awesome that you are doing this.

I used to be someone who thought ALL my time “should” be productive time. If I wasn’t producing, I wasn’t doing enough. I still had free time…but I tended to feel like when my day was done, I had left too much undone. I kept focusing on what I didn’t do instead of what I did do. And what I did do was already more than the average human being (which had been pointed out to me by colleagues at work).

So some of this giving myself time was actually starting to find out what it’s like to be “average.” Instead of trying to be superwoman all the time.

Finding the balance can feel “hard” when you are used to pushing yourself at an unrealistic pace, feeling like that’s normal.

What I love about your comment, Emily, is that it feels like you are nurturing yourself with nourishing activiities that soothe your soul…and you are doing it through awareness of what you really want. Bravo!!!!

Love,
Heather

The beautiful part is that this giving is a practice. It may come quickly or take time, but the more you practice, the more your body understands the energy of self-soothing, self-nurturing…that you are WORTHY. That you MATTER.

With love,
Heather

I will do a post about this and what I’ve learned since then. Thank you for asking a question that is so important for so many people.

Back when I first experienced these symptoms, I was curious as to why the mainstream eaitng disorders community works so hard to get everyone into recovery, but does nothing to support the phyiscal symptoms once we are there. There’s practically NO information out there. However, that’s what we as a community are here for…to help each other find the answers to support our journey!

WIth love,
Heather

I write tonight to ask you if you know of anything that could be causing me constant stomach upset. I always feel that my stomach is “churing” and I never feel satisfied after visiting the bathroom … it’s a constant uncomfortable feeling of having to go. Embarrassing? You bet. I am bloated almost always, and my stomach seems to just “talk” and “talk” all day long. I have been to my doctors, but to no avail. They give me pills that I fear taking because they cause sleeplessness and other side effects that my antidepressents are already giving me twofold.

Have you any experience with this problem, i.e. is this common in recovering bulimic whose bodies are “relearning” how to process normal amounts of food? I am not eating gobs … I try to eat minimally because of this very problem. Like I said, doctors haven’t been helpful, and online research has gotten me nowhere. Then, I found you!

If you know anything, I would appreciate some feedback.

Thanks a bunch! Kendra

What an appropriate post for me to stumble across right now and realize I have been moving in parallel with you. I, too, have been giving myself more time to do what I truly enjoy. Although, in my case, I didn’t take away so much from highly productive time as I shifted unproductive, procrastination time into time for things I love. I have been spending more time reading, I have been going on beautiful hikes every Sunday, and, on days I didn’t feel like it, I have been skipping my running and substituting it instead for something more low-key, like a walk with my husband or a friend. How nice is it not to do things out of compulsion! I also have been spending less time on the computer, and, much as I love my email and blog interactions with my friends, it can be so liberating to take some time away from the screen and focus on really living life instead!

thinking of you, Heather, now and always!

with love,

~Emily

I relate very strongly to the “never enough” emotion that I experience and act out through bingeing/restricting. Since my “never enough” substance isn’t time, however, you have helped me consider what it is I really do want in my life and what I have denied myself because of feeling so unworthy.

Thanks for sharing your journey and helping me gain insight on my own!

With love,
Heather

Thank you for still continuing to be such great spiritual inspiration. Through your healing, I still feel hope.

I am witnessing a difficult experience my little sister is having at the moment. Poor thing, she had an allergic reaction (probably to sushi), and her whole face is very swollen and red at the moment. I saw her yesterday and couldn’t believe my eyes. She looked like a different person! I feel so sorry for her.

As painful and excruciating as this must be, I am sure there is a lesson for her in this. A lesson in appreciating the beauty and health that she normally has. It is a lesson for me, also. To think that I am always getting down about my face not being beautiful enough when there are people out there struggling with severe disfigurations - and permanent ones, no less!

I was able to give my little sister a treatment yesterday, and it helped her feel a little bit better. I’m treating her again today and sincerely hope for her that the swelling goes down quickly. I am sure it will take a while to recover completely. She has rashes all over her body and dry, crusty patches. The skin on her face is red and hardened under the swelling. Poor thing is in such agony right now. When she absolutely has to leave the house, she wears big sunglasses and holds a sheet of paper in front of her face.

Just thought I’d share this to remind us all to appreciate feeling (at least relatively) well and healthy when we do!

with love,

~Emily

I think I finally realized — you how things that look kinda bad (or even really bad), can actually be the best thing that could happen? I think these lessons showed me that no matter what, I would always be OK. Whether it was a potentially fatal accident, being hurt by a friend, or whatever else, we are all always OK no matter what happens.

Love,
Heather