In the spirit of cross training for recovery from eating disorders, I will be sharing seven formulas that you can mix and match in a variety of situations. They are personal favorites that I’ve used myself, taught to clients, and passed along to other professionals.
Try It On
When we’re not happy with how something is going in our lives, something has to change. Yet most people resist change because the new way is unknown and feels like too much of a risk.
There is a 12-step slogan that suggests people “Act as if,” so even if you’re scared, doubtful, or downright convinced something won’t work, try it anyway. Think of it as an experiment that you’ll test out, evaluate and discuss, rather than something you’re going to be doing the rest of your life.
For example, you or your therapist may have identified that you could be more assertive in a work or family situation. One suggestion might be to try out a more assertive response over the next week. The goal isn’t to turn you into an assertive person overnight, but for you to commit to trying out a new pattern – not forever, but just for the next week.
Or maybe you’re someone who needs help with how you receive compliments. Your assignment for the week may be to say a simple, “Thank you,” even if inside you deny the praise because you can only see the things that are wrong with you.
These steps are the beginning of a process where you give yourself permission to try, then speak to a therapist or sponsor about how things go, and tweak it from there. Let yourself explore this way, and you might just discover a healthy and long-lasting change that improves your life and recovery.
Stay tuned for the rest of the 7 Formulas for Living in Recovery.