Simple Ways to Celebrate Personal Wins in Recovery
The journey to eating disorder recovery can be difficult, but it’s also full of rewarding moments. Along the way, you might experience many emotions, but staying optimistic is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Celebrating every little win, no matter how small, can help you shift to a more positive mindset. Your eating disorder may try to make you feel anxious, guilty, or full of shame, but part of recovery is challenging those negative thoughts with positive, true ones. Remember, your eating disorder isn’t being honest with you.
In fact, the National Institute of Health (NIH) says that having a positive outlook can improve both your mental and physical health. One of the best ways to stay positive is by practicing gratitude and reflecting on how far you’ve come. In this blog, we’ll share some ways to do just that.
4 Ways to Celebrate Your Recovery
Look Back on This Year’s Milestones
As the year comes to a close, it’s natural to reflect on everything you’ve accomplished. Starting or continuing your recovery is a huge achievement, and you deserve to be proud of that! But don’t forget the smaller victories along the way—like setting boundaries, trying a fear food, or using positive affirmations on tough days. These wins may feel small, but they add up in big ways, helping to build confidence as you step into the new year. Celebrate each one—they’re all part of your progress!
Try Journaling
Journaling can be a helpful tool as you navigate your recovery journey. It’s a great way to process your emotions, get thoughts out of your head, and even spot triggers. It can also help you practice gratitude by reflecting on your day. At the end of each day, write down your wins—whether it’s a big accomplishment or a smaller one. Progress isn’t always linear, some days, you might list several wins; other days, it might be just one. And that’s okay! The key is to celebrate every victory, no matter how small, and to remind yourself of the things you’re thankful for. This helps shift your mindset toward positivity and self-compassion, especially when negative thoughts start to creep in.
Talk to Your Healthcare Team
Your healthcare team has been with you through it all, and they’re always there to cheer you on. Why not check in with them about your progress this year? They can reflect on how far you’ve come and might even remind you of wins you’ve forgotten about. Hearing someone else celebrate your strength and growth can feel so empowering and give you that extra boost of confidence as you step into the new year. You’ve worked so hard—let them help you see just how much you’ve accomplished!
Take time to honor every step forward—they’re all part of your growth!
As you reflect on your recovery journey, take a moment to feel proud of yourself! This path isn’t always easy, but you’ve shown incredible strength by challenging eating disorder thoughts, working with your care team, and putting in the effort to replace negativity with hope. hat takes courage! Celebrate your progress by doing something you love—whether it’s a fun activity like hiking or treating yourself to something special. Big or small, every win matters, and taking time to acknowledge them helps you honor how far you’ve come.
