Author: Justine Rickard M.A.
Sometimes in eating disorder recovery we can get so caught up in noticing and planning around our trigger that we can end up missing out on things that feel different or allow us to see ourselves, others, or the world in a different light.
Cultivating a practice in gratitude can be an important strategy in recovery. It allows us to take time to reflect on all of the little things in life that we appreciate or feel grateful for, even when we are struggling or faced with a painful emotion. These things can be small or big and can include things like sharing a laugh with a friend, having a meaningful conversation, or feeling the sun shining on your skin. Often, we are so focused on what is going wrong in our lives we overlook all of the experiences that remind us of what we are grateful for.
There are a number of ways to practice gratitude including creating a gratitude list and recording all of the moments or experiences in your day when you notice a feeling of thankfulness, write a letter or express your appreciation to someone in your life that has meant a lot to you (this can include yourself!), or spend some time journaling and reflecting on what gratitude means for you.
Here are a few journal prompts to get you started:
What is one skill or quality about yourself that you appreciate the most?
Write about a time when you laughed uncontrollably.
Write about a movie, TV show, or book that touched your heart, and why.
Reflect on a random act of kindness that you either witnessed or performed.
Write about someone that you admire or who hash had a positive impact on your life.
Look around and list 5 things that help you in your day-to-day life.
What excites you about the future?
When did something wonderful happen unexpectedly?
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