Welcome to the blog space of the Looking Glass community, where we post our own and others’ reflections and perspectives on eating disorder issues, journeys of recovery, and other helpful tips and tools.
Advice by Kaela: Navigating Setbacks – Giving Yourself Permission To Be Human
Q: I am feeling so defeated. After months of making progress I had a really big set back and it feels like I am right back at the beginning. All of this is making me question whether recovery is really possible for me.
"As I have worked through recovery, the key to using my feelings as a tool has been to respond to them with curiosity instead of shame. When a situation prompts a strong emotional reaction, the first thing I do is acknowledge that I am having an emotional experience and that this is okay."
As we start the New Year, please be kind and compassionate to yourself and share the same message with your friends. Remember, you are already more than enough. Your goals, intentions and subsequent choices are just an extension of the amazing person you already are.
"As the year and decade come to an end we hope you take this time to realize the strength inside you for making it this far. The journey to recovery is a bumpy one, and even if you are at the beginning it takes a lot of courage to want to face yourself so you can lead a happier, freer life."
"YOU get to decide who you are and what is important to you, and I encourage you to look for ways to build traditions that feel significant for you. Maybe you need to go to the social gatherings or holiday parties that are challenging because they are important to your loved ones, but maybe you can also celebrate this time of year in a way that brings you joy and honours what you truly need."
"Navigating triggers such as diet talk, social events or social isolation, and having to engage with different situations around food, can bring up a lot of difficult feelings. However, the holiday season can also bring with it the opportunity to challenge ourselves, create new memories, and engage with new experiences. Doing so is certainly not always easy, but there are ways in which we can protect our recovery when we find ourselves caught up in moments that put us to the test."
The Looking Glass Foundation is pleased to receive a $20,000 Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund grant to support enhancement programs at the Looking Glass Residence, a 14-bed facility where youth aged 16 to 24 receive care from medical and mental health professionals.
"Much like the broken pottery, recovering from an eating disorder is a remarkable journey of piecing our lives back together. It is a journey of challenge, discovery, and growth, as we gain a new perspective on life. When I was ill, I didn’t realize how I would come to appreciate the lessons my eating disorder would teach me. My illness and recovery are now beautiful reminders of the path I have traveled, and the lessons I have learned are gifts that flow through my life."
The Looking Glass Foundation aligns with the recommendations put forward by the Canadian Eating Disorder Alliance and we are pleased to see the strategy receiving media coverage, which helps to increase awareness about eating disorders and the gaps in treatment that are evident across Canada.
"Hello! My name is Sydney and I couldn’t be more excited to join the Looking Glass Community as the new Volunteer & Program Coordinator. I first learned about the Looking Glass Foundation when I was designing a hypothetical eating disorder treatment program for my undergraduate thesis, and three years later, after completing a Masters of Science in Eating Disorders and Clinical Nutrition, here I am!"
Looking Glass Foundation respectfully acknowledges that our work takes place on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
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