Recovery-Positive Resolutions

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

Happy New Year friends!

I hope you rang in the New Year in style 🙂

I was nursing a pretty bad cold, so mine consisted of watching New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, hot tea, and a face mask 🙂

It was actually a really nice change of pace. NYE in NYC, as you can imagine, is quite the ordeal.

But watching that show, I was really struck by something. Nearly every commercial was about either a gym or a diet plan. Even the program itself, New Year’s Rockin’ Eve – was     sponsored by Planet Fitness. But seriously though, if I have to listen to Oprah talk about how much she loves bread one more time…

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But obviously, January is typically the month that people devote to their health. So naturally, working out and watching what you eat is a logical progression. And advertisers take full advantage of that. And actually prey on our insecurities.

But if you are someone in recovery from an eating disorder, this can be a particularly difficult time of year.

And I just want to pause to say that this post is going back to the root of my blog. So if you  or a loved one are struggling, this post – along with my book, Bloom – may be something worth passing along.

Remembering back to my early days in recovery from anorexia, the holidays were always one of the most difficult times. Not only is the entire holiday about food and sweets and indulging. But there was also the constant scrutiny of family and loved ones. A time that should be filled with joy was instead clouded with anxiety and fear.

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And then, afterwards, the entire world shifts to being suuuper body-focused. Obsessing about diet, working out, and weight loss.

Ask anyone their New Year’s resolution, and 95% percent of people will say either a) shed the Christmas weight gain, b) workout more, or c) eat healthier. Granted you will get that 1% oddball that will say something like, “Reduce my carbon footprint,” or “read more books” but those gems are one in a million.

I always remember getting so angry come resolution time. And looking back now, I realize that my anger was actually an ugly manifestation of lust and envy, concocting into negative energy.

But I so wanted to be part of that group that was trying to lose weight. That was my drug. I longed to feel the hunger pangs and work out until my feet bled. That’s what I excelled at.

But I couldn’t.

Because I was in freaking recovery.

But I just remember feeling like quite a loser, watching my friends jibber jabber about their new workout attire, and make plans to attend the group fitness classes together. I felt left out. And annoyed.

So, I wanted to just, first of all, say to anyone who may be feeling something similar, that you are not a loser. You are reclaiming your life, and every day you stick to your recovery is a victory worth celebrating. And even though other people may not realize the battle you’re fighting every single day, I see you. I see your courage. I see your perseverance. And I am in your corner, cheering for you.

But secondly, I wanted to offer a few alternative resolutions. Recovery-Positive Resolutions, if you will. So that when the conversation arises about resolutions -which we all know it will – you will have a kick-butt goal to share for 2018.

So without further ado….

Recovery-Positive New Year’s Resolutions

  1. I will speak kindly to myself, and give myself the grace and patience needed to bloom.
  2. I will begin each day with three gratitudes, remembering that not everyone has access to food, clean water, shelter, family, education, healthcare, etc.
  3. I will stop comparing myself to society’s unnatural and skewed standard of beauty, and instead focus on the beauty of my heart, mind, and spirit.
  4. I will celebrate my imperfections, because I am a beautiful work in progress.
  5. I will celebrate nourishing my body and giving it the fuel I need to study, laugh, dance, socialize, live.
  6. I will be gentle with my body, and refuse to listen to the Voice of ED that taunts me to destroy my body through overexercising or restriction.img_2435
  7. I will begin and end each day in prayer, remembering that Jesus is my best friend and helper, and that He rejoices in the fact that I have chosen life and am embracing recovery.
  8. I will chose to communicate my feelings and fears and struggles with my family/friends/therapist, instead of engaging in ED behaviors.
  9. I will do (at least) one spontaneous, fun thing every single day, simply to celebrate being alive. ((This can be a dance party to a Justin Bieber song, taking a bubble bath, calling a friend, sending a silly Snapchat, etc.)
  10. I will choose to love the beautiful (yes I said it!!) young woman staring back at me in the mirror, because she is a freaking survivor, and has so much to offer, is loved by God, and is worthy of an abundant life, in every way possible.
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OK, that’s all for now. Time to watch The Bachelor!! It’s one of my joys for today 🙂 hehe

Remember when my friends wanted me to go on the show! Oy vey. Dodged a bullet there. Maaaaybe one day if Ben Higgins is ever the Bachelor again 😉

And quickly, I just wanted to thank everyone who has sent me a note about how much Bloom has meant to them. I seriously have to hold back tears, reading some of your letters and emails. I was praying for you when I wrote the book, and I continue to pray for you as you make your way through it 🙂

Alright, Happy 2018 friends. Cheers!

***THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS ORDERED MY BOOKS, BLOOM: A JOURNAL BY BEAUTYBEYONDBONES AND “MY BLOGGING TIPS“***

CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY!

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STAY CONNECTED!

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A big thank you to my sponsor, BetterHelp Online Therapy.  Speak with an online therapist. Or check out content about eating disorders from BetterHelp.

Next time you’re shopping on Amazon, be sure to stop by my link, amazon.com/shop/beautybeyondbones first! Doing so is absolutely FREE for you, and a great way to support this blog! (When you stop by my link first, whatever you get on Amazon will give this blog a little kickback :))

My favorite item someone purchased last week was a Waterproof iPod Shuffle! So if that was you…THANK YOU! 🙂

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For Podcast versions of my posts, please check out Patreon! You make this blog possible 🙂

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beautybeyondbones

BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

190 thoughts on “Recovery-Positive Resolutions”

  3. Oh, Caralyn, I love your heart and your boldness and desire to help others through your journey. God bless you and Happy New Year!

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    1. oh Terese, thank you so much 🙂 what a kind thing say! God bless you and yours as well in the new year! Happy 2018! Hugs and love xox

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  4. Caralyn, thank you for sharing that, it was truly eye opening. We never really know someone else’s struggles which is why it is so important not to judge. I think God has truly gifted you with the ability to speak to this population. God Bless you in 2018…may you prosper and be in peace.

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    1. thank you so much Jackie. what a kind thing to say! Same to you! I hope you have a beautiful and happy 2018! xox

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  10. I have a lovely friend who also suffered from anorexia, and she too wrote a book about her struggle. Our associates need to be encouraging. Negative friends bring negative results and make the journey that much harder to finish. Keep the faith!

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    1. thanks so much for sharing that. you’re right, encouragement is so important, because so many people are fighting silent battles. big hugs to you x

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  13. I gotta hand it to ya, Caralyn. You sure sound different than the ‘beginning 2017’ person ready to throw 2016 in the toilet. I wouldn’t ever want to be that person, you know, the one so up-and-down like that. I don’t know how you handle your emotional roller coasters! I mean, even just between the beginning 2017 and 2018!

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  14. We’re all always in recovery from something. No one is ever fully whole. So to treat others with the same compassion you think you deserve will turn the world into one worth living in. Thanks Caralyn. To share one’s vulnerability is the greatest evidence of inner strength.

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    1. oh awesome! yes! Just copy and paste the link! (There used to be a reblog button, but it unfortunately got disabled, I’m working on getting it back up and running 🙂 ) Hugs and love xox

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  21. Do you ever look back at this first post and marvel at how far you have come? I found this so inspiring today. You have done such an amazing job of recovery and you have managed to bring others along with you too. Well done Carolyn.😀

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    1. Oh my gosh this touched my heart so much!!!!! Wow thank you my dear friend. Yeah – it really is quite something to see how far God has brought me on this journey. I am incredibly grateful, I certainly couldn’t have done it without Him 🙂 sending you so much love xox

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