You Are Not Moving Back.

To a young girl fighting,

Everyone has their own story. My story is going to look very different from yours and yours is going to look very different from your neighbors. Today is my last day at ERC PHP. I am not stopping, I am just taking a different approach in recovery which is ok. I am making a lateral move back home and am going to pursue PHP from home virtually. I know this is the right move for me as being across the country from everything was not for me. I tried my best for this to work but it just couldn’t for me and that is completely ok. I feel very confident in my home team and am looking forward to seeing them again.

Getting a therapist I loved took lots of time and effort. And I know how frustrating that process can be. If you are going through that, know you are not alone and there is someone out there for you. It may take time but they will come around.

Recovery looks different for everyone. Comparing your treatment and journey to someone else is doing you no good. All journeys are valid and should be cared for. You are “sick enough” to get help, you do deserve this help. The fact that you are reading this gives you permission to get help. You are loved and people want you to get better, people want you to live a full life.

Girl I KNOW, it's a constant struggle. Gonna be real with y’all right now. The other day was one of my worst days in treatment. I was struggling both mentally and physically. I was drained, exhausted, and just overall a big mess. I wanted to go home so badly but I knew I had to push. Those days are what's gonna get you better. There has to be steps back in this process. Everything happens for a reason man, I truly do believe that. These hard days are there for a reason.

Now how are we going to prevent relapse? It's the little things that will get you into trouble. It could be as simple as switching back to skim milk or going on longer walks. Those things will add up and your eating disorder will latch onto those little things and run with it. That's how things will turn around and it will be fast.

Pull out a piece of paper and a pen and write down your top “little things” that could happen and send you into a full blown relapse. Then show one of your supporters, tell them to keep an eye out for those little things, because those are the things that will get you into trouble.

You are doing great, you are.

Keep fighting you beautiful bad ass bitch

Love,

Alexa Cohen <3

To a young girl fighting,

You Are Valued.

You Are Supported.