You Are Not Your ED!

My name is Alexa Cohen and I am not my eating disorder!!!

That took a long ass time to realize. I have an eating disorder but I am not my eating disorder. I have so many more values and qualities in my life than just my eating disorder. 

Just like I am not my eating disorder, neither are you!!! You have your core beliefs and your values. And I bet you good money they are not all about your eating disorder. You are a strong, beautiful, independent, loyal person. 

One of the hardest parts of recovery is letting go of your eating disorder. I definitely went through an identity crisis. I was like who am I now? I don’t have this thing that I have had for years upon years. What am I now? But you know what I am? I am a gymnast, a daughter, a sister, a friend, etc. My eating disorder doesn’t get to have that label on me. You are way more of a person than this voice in your head. You are brave, empathetic, and hardworking. All those things and not one of them has to do with your eating disorder! 

When you are having a hard time letting go of your eating disorder, tune into something that makes you happy. For me, it was always playing with my pups. Playing with Coco and Murray has always been something that lifted my spirits and it has nothing to do with my eating disorder. It's one of my values and gives me a reason why I am not my illness. 

You are you and you are strong and brave. 

Of course this is something that I am still working on. My recovery is not perfect, nor should it be. And yours shouldn't be either. Recovery is supposed to be messy. It is just the nature of it. You are going to have good days and you are gonna have bad ones. It is all normal.

Keep on fighting. 

Love,

Alexa Cohen <3