It's okay not to be okay on Christmas
If I could go back and tell myself anything it would be to be kind to yourself during the holiday period. Remind yourself you are in no way a burden and your family show concern because they care. One day it will get easier, but always know it’s okay not to be okay on Christmas.
Read Claire's story
Relapsing forward
Relapses happen, but they don’t erase all progress. I want you to know that a backward step helps every forward movement; regardless of where you fall, full recovery is possible.
Emma's story
I see her
For me, recovery has been silent, loud, tough, testing, enriching. The fuller I become in body and in spirit, the more I find my mind thinking of the women of my childhood. Solid, full, proud. Large, unwavering, profound.
Sumedha's story
There is no ‘look’ and no ‘size’ to an eating disorder
I was never given the blueprint for body respect and a healthy relationship with food growing up. In fact, because I live in a larger body, my desire to lose weight was encouraged, celebrated and my eating disorder was left untreated. Eating disorders are a mental illness. They have nothing to do with physical appearance.
Lill's story
Claiming my mind and body back
Recovery is not a linear progression. Recovery is a roller coaster of emotions, hate and love, suffering and relief, tears of fear and tears of joy whilst I stare at myself in the mirror, conflicted with feelings of shame and pride. Recovery is the journey to finding yourself again and claiming your mind and your body back from the devil that stole it
Stephanie's story
No such thing as not 'sick enough'
I’m sad that I spent so long making myself ill without getting help. I was worthy of care and assistance to get well again. I hope others experiencing a similar situation will acknowledge they too deserve and should seek help.
Nikki's story
We are so much stronger than we believe
I was waiting for someone or something to save me; to come along and give me what I needed to push me to recover. It took me so long to realise the only person who could make me do it was myself and my willpower to change my life.
Ruby's story
There is hope
What started out as a relatively harmless idea, quickly became obsessive and took over my life. I was the last person I expected to get an eating disorder. But it still happened to me. To all those who are currently struggling, I want you to know that your struggle is valid, and that recovery is possible no matter who you are. There is hope.
Sophie's story
Fall down five times , get up six - the importance of perseverance to find the right supports and recovery
"Despite being told that I would never graduate high school, especially not with my original peer group, I did. Despite being told I may never recover fully, I did. Despite being told I might never handle the stress of my dream job - being a nurse - I now am a registered nurse working at a major public hospital and I am."
Read Tess's story
I thought my eating disorder would make me thin. Instead it made me small.
"More than ten years on, my recovery hasn’t been fast, but it has been big. I still struggle to love my body sometimes. But I have learned that my body deserves to be cared for, regardless of how I feel about it in the moment."
Cheryl's story