A Lesson, Not a Mistake
Many of us, if not all of us, experience hardships in our lives. We encounter issues and struggles in which we may cause harm to ourselves and others. When we become consumed by our negative thoughts and circumstances, we tend to forget the world and the people around us. When we finally acknowledge the reality of these problems, we open our eyes to any damage that we've done to ourselves and the people we care about. Naturally, we feel guilty and ashamed, as though we've made one of the biggest mistakes in our lives, when in fact we've just experienced one of the biggest lessons!
When I encountered issues like Body Dysmorphia, anger and depression, I felt as though I was having one of the worst years of my existence. But as time went on, I learned more and more about myself and the hearts and minds of others, even though those lessons came from pain. If not for my experience with depression and BDD, I wouldn't have the kind of understanding that I do toward Anorexia Nervosa and other issues. Before, all I really knew is what I read and of course, trying to put myself in those people's shoes. I never knew the true mental struggle until I battled with BDD.
When I encountered issues like Body Dysmorphia, anger and depression, I felt as though I was having one of the worst years of my existence. But as time went on, I learned more and more about myself and the hearts and minds of others, even though those lessons came from pain. If not for my experience with depression and BDD, I wouldn't have the kind of understanding that I do toward Anorexia Nervosa and other issues. Before, all I really knew is what I read and of course, trying to put myself in those people's shoes. I never knew the true mental struggle until I battled with BDD.
Don't Be Ashamed
We must try not to be ashamed and beat ourselves up for any harm that we may have caused ourselves and others. When I had anger issues, I would lash out at the people that I care about, but I realized that holding onto the past only causes more depression, anger, and mental torment in your present and future. Instead of clinging onto every unpleasant detail from our past, lets choose to remember the lessons we learned from our pain and experiences. How can you help someone with what you've learned? How can you inspire someone else? If no one was there for you, how can you be there for others?
Don't be ashamed for having an eating disorder or having one in the past. It's natural to feel guilt, but you aren't helping yourself by disallowing yourself happiness because you don't think you deserve it. Walk away from past— no, walk away from negativity in general. Honor your body instead of being guilty for any harm you may have caused it. Love the people that love you, instead of beating yourself up for any harm you may have caused them. Anyone who really loves you and wants the best for you won't want you to punish yourself on their behalf. They want you to keep looking forward and to keep going, leaving things like guilt, shame, anger, sadness behind.
So what lessons have you learned?
Don't be ashamed for having an eating disorder or having one in the past. It's natural to feel guilt, but you aren't helping yourself by disallowing yourself happiness because you don't think you deserve it. Walk away from past— no, walk away from negativity in general. Honor your body instead of being guilty for any harm you may have caused it. Love the people that love you, instead of beating yourself up for any harm you may have caused them. Anyone who really loves you and wants the best for you won't want you to punish yourself on their behalf. They want you to keep looking forward and to keep going, leaving things like guilt, shame, anger, sadness behind.
So what lessons have you learned?