The Power of Yes

Yes.

A small word with a big impact.

One syllable that can lead to incredible adventures, new relationships, and abundant life.

Recovery has been a journey of rediscovering me, and becoming who I’d always been.

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You see, during my anorexia, I had forgotten who I was.

I had become a hollow shell of myself: without a soul, without feelings, without thoughts (other than ED-thoughts, which were manic), and without love – for anyone or anything: my family, friends, God, and myself.

And I don’t think this is foreign to anyone. We all have seasons of life where we feel a little “off.” A little lacking in spirit. Periods of intense stress at work or school; having just broken up with a boyfriend or girlfriend; getting rejected from a dream college or dream job; getting caught up with the wrong crowd…whatever it is, sometimes we lose ourselves.


And I was thinking about it today, as I’m getting ready to go out on a spontaneous Indian food dinner adventure with my friends on a Tuesday night, that one of the most impactful things of my recovery, aside from, of course, inviting Jesus into my heart – is saying yes.

Yes.

That has been a game changer, folks.


During my anorexia, I withdrew from everyone in my life. And this is coming from someone who has always been a social butterfly. But during my ED, I didn’t answer the phone, didn’t call people back, didn’t accept invitations to do things, and even when I was with people, I wasn’t present. I was in my head. I dropped out of all extra curriculars. Even left school early. I was chained to my eating disorder and no person or fun experience could come between me and ED.

I spent years saying no.

So now, my theme of recovery, has been yes.

 

I say “yes” to anything that comes my way.

And you know what? Saying “yes” has helped me remember who I was, pre-ED. Helped me remember all the things that I loved doing. It forces me to constantly be stepping out of my comfort zone and experiencing new things. In saying “yes,” I am constantly being surrounded by people who want to spend time with me and love me. So even if I don’t always feel that love from myself, I am with people who remind me of just that.


So although, sometimes it may seem a tad irresponsible: staying out a touch too late when you have work or school the next day; or maybe getting an ice cream cone with a friend after already enjoying brunch earlier that day…my response is: I’m reclaiming my life.

I’m taking back what was once stolen from me by the devil in disguise: ED.

I’m celebrating having found myself again and having chosen life and chosen recovery.

And I do that by saying “yes.”


So I challenge you: what is one thing you can say “yes” to this week? Believe me, I know how tempting Netflix can be. Especially now that The OC is streaming. Goodness gracious.

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But I promise: real life adventures will beat out any episode of The OC or Pretty Little Liars. Those characters, yes they become your “friends.” But they can’t love you back.You deserve to have a little fun and experience everything life has to offer. You owe it to yourself to say “Yes.”


So if you’ll excuse me. I have to go put on a festive outfit and go meet my friends as they celebrate the Indian Festival of Lights.


<3

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80 responses to “The Power of Yes”

  1. absolutely yes! My recovery has been from Alcohol/drugs. But so much of the same garbage permeates both our lives . I have such great respect for people recovering from food addictions. Thanks for the post. Thanks for being honest.

    Reply

    • Thanks so much Mike. I appreciate it. Yeah, in one form or another we are all “in recovery” from something in life. And the themes are always strikingly similar. Thanks for stopping by! Blessings on your recovery journey 🌞

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  3. Oh man this hits me hard. My roommate always goes out with friends or her boyfriend and I usually don’t. I make the excuse that I work long hours and am tired. Really, that is true, but I also like quiet. I like to take a break from being with people all day and just be with myself. That makes it hard to want to go out. This is something I need to work on. How did you take the first step?

    Reply

    • Thanks Ellie. I totally feel you. Especially with Facebook, it’s easy to feel like we’re missing out. I guess the first step was just something small. Say yes to whatever invitation comes along! Maybe that’s coffee with a friend or going out for a drink on Friday night with the coworkers. One suggestion would be to arrive with a friend, that way there’s no anxiety of not knowing anyone! But just take the plunge. The funny thing is, once you’re “out there” saying yes becomes easier and easier. You’ll realize that you’ll actually become MORE energized after being out and about. Counter intuitive but so true. So excited for you to get out there and grab the gusto! Hugs friend!

      Reply

  8. Another beautifully written post as usual 🙂 You are so right about what the power of yes can bring 🙂 In this case, it is having fun and feeling liberated from one’s own past addiction. Instead of turning down every festive activity, one finally says yes and you know what, that person starts to feel happy for the first time in a while. I am so glad that your problems with anorexia are a thing of the past. Anyway, keep up the great work as always 🙂

    Reply

    • Thank you so much John. I am so glad it is in the past too. God is good, what can I say! Saying yes is like a snowball. You do it once and then you get more momentum to say yes again and again because of the tremendous feeling of love – both from others, and from self. Saying yes is not only a kick in ED’s pants, but it also communicates to oneself that I’m worthy of going out and doing things! Thanks for stopping by John! Have a great night!

      Reply

    • Gosh thank you to the moon Oneta. I appreciate it. Yes, saying yes to Him was the greatest decision of my life. Bar none. Thanks for stopping by and for your continued support. It means a lot. 😊

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  10. Your message here is one all of your readers are relating to. That includes me.

    It sounds easy when you say that you’ll do this. It sounds simple to say yes and not no. But the hardest thing is changing your habits and saying something different to last time.

    This post will help us all to have the strength to continue fighting, or so I feel.

    Reply

  11. Hi, first of all thank you for liking my post. 🙂 I would also like to “like” your posts but where is the button? I dont see it anywhere^^ Very interesting blog you got here 😉

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    • Thank you so much Caryn. I appreciate your encouragement 🙂 it is my deepest hope that someone somewhere might read these words and be comforted with hope:) thank you for reading and for your kind words! Hugs!

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  14. Thank you! This is really lovely, and possibly something I really needed to read. I’ve been feeling like I’ve lost myself, and saying yes has actually been something I do too much – so much that lately I’ve been saying no. Thanks for the reminder to try and say yes again 🙂

    Reply

  15. Reading your posts is like opening a window to let a breeze sweep through. Your recovery adventure is inspiring! (Love your graphics, too.) I expect as you keep inhaling the love of Jesus, His joy in who you are will feed YOUR joy in who you are. Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful story!

    Reply

    • Thank you so much Karen. Wow what a beautiful image. Thank you:) God is so good. I am forever grateful to Him for saving me. And I think you’re right in the money. Staying focused on Him will only strengthen me along the way. Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words! Xx

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    • Thank you so much Daniel! Oh wow, what an exciting time of your life! I love Colorado. I have a lot of friends that live there and they can’t say enough good things about it! Good luck with everything! 😀 Thanks for stopping by!

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  19. Thanks so much for your most inspiring post. Your opening comments really caught our attention:

    Yes.
    A small word with a big impact.
    One syllable that can lead to incredible adventures, new relationships, and abundant life.

    As I read your comments, this passage from 2 Corinthians 1:17-19 in the New Living Testament came to mind, and I thought it would bless you, in that it also reiterates the absolute power of “yes”:

    17 You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” 19 For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says.

    Thanks also for the recent “likes” on Dr. J’s Apothecary Shoppe.

    Reply

  21. Oh my gosh, this was so powerful. It really spoke to me, it’s crazy! Recovery is about saying yes, you’re right. Saying yes to that piece of cake, that holiday abroad, that ice cream, that party invitation, that extra hour in bed. Saying yes to life. Thank you, thank you, thank you ❤️

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  23. Absolutely beautiful! Yes, the only person that can give you the best love and care is yourself. GOD lives inside of you and you certainly awakened the God in you.

    Abundant blessings, Emma xoxo

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    • Thank you so much Emma. You speak so much truth! You’re right- we’ve gotta care for and love ourselves. Even when it’s hard. Thanks for stopping by and for your lovey words! Blessings!

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  27. Been reading through your blog tonight, and this post really resonates with me. As I’m sure it does with anyone else who has found their road to recovery (of any sort). Thanks for sharing your story. Funny how life throws us all some sort of turmoil, only to find common ground in picking up the pieces. I think you are brave to share your story, and I really hope it helps people in the way you have set out to do. Hold your head high and know how far you have come. X

    Reply

      • Hey, we’re both running that surplus thing, right? This is one of the ways I get fed, mutual support in the body of Christ. I think some of my posts have been good for you too. I slept just ok Monday night but had God refreshed me by the morning. Off to a good start today. Hope your day is good! Thanks for your kind thoughts and prayers!!! 🙂

  33. Thank you so much for sharing (and for the reminder)! Saying yes was what got me on the right track to recovery from my slew of mental illnesses as well. Exactly how you had described; I felt like I had no idea who I was anymore. And beginning to say yes was even scary in the sense that I had no idea if I would like who I was once I started to find myself again. It’s such a small word, but it packs such impact! With the stress of school and life in general I just realized I have stopped saying yes again! Thanks SO much for the reminder that it is ok to put it all on hold and just say yes!

    Reply

    • Three letters. One syllable. Life changing impact. Thanks for this beautiful reflection, Stephanie. I’m so glad you’ve found the freedom of recover as well yes, here’s to YES! thanks for stopping by friend. Hugs and love to you! Xox

      Reply

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