Make It A Good One
Merry Christmas gorgeous people!!!
Those two little words will mean different things for different people. And in truth, I was hesitant to open this post that way because I know all too well that whilst for some Christmas is a time of joy, for others, it's a time that emphasises various life challenges.
BUT like any other day of your life, Christmas is what you make it.
If it's a difficult time because you struggle with an Eating Disorder, disordered eating, or any other food-related issue, I want to remind you that whilst it might seem that way - CHRISTMAS ISN'T ALL ABOUT FOOD!!! It's about sharing, and relaxing, and enjoying yourself. The role food plays in that for YOU is completely up to you. This is one day of the year, so if you want to indulge and enjoy eating festive food, GO FOR YOUR LIFE!!! Make that your gift to yourself, you deserve it. On the other hand, if eating is still a struggle that raises anxiety, or if you're in recovery and still following a meal plan, it's perfectly ok to eat within YOUR comfort zone or what you're used to. You can share in so many other ways - conversation, games, smiles, hugs and kisses. If anyone comments on your choices, simply smile and say, "I'm happy with this; this is great for me."
Christmas is also a time where the challenge may not be other people at all... In fact it may be the lack of other people. Whilst it can seem as though everyone spends today with family and the people they love, the truth is for many people today can be a pretty lonely day, spent alone or isolated. It may be that you don't have family or aren't close to them; friends may be far away or busy with their own engagements; your loved ones might be overseas or interstate; life may be such that the people present in your life aren't so close that you'd share a holiday like this with them. And no matter how ok you are with this the rest of the time, seeing many other people sharing today with loved ones can bring out emotions you didn't even know were there. And that's ok - you're human, you have feelings. But no matter how you spend today, you are worthy and enough - just as you are. You deserve love and connection, whether you feel it's present in your life right now or not. But most of all, you deserve your own care and affection.
Take time today to celebrate the gift that YOU are, and all of your strengths that have carried you through this year and beyond. Keep shining your light, because the world needs it and YOU need it; it never goes unseen, even if from only by strangers from afar.
Today is also just another day. There is such an enormous build up, that can create so much pressure, but the reality is the sun will rise and the sun will set, and what happens in between doesn't have to be any different if you don't want it to be.
Today is yours to make whatever you choose, and whatever that may be - make it a good one.
