So anyways, my post today is about triggers in recovery and even daily life, and how you can make choices to block them out or keep them at bay.
One of the toughest things for me during recovery was seeing other people's bodies because I would go into an automatic mode of comparing myself to them and most of the time it ended with me feeling horrible and not good enough.
This trigger came from everywhere because obviously people are everywhere, but it didn't just have to be people walking around, it was magazine photos, models on clothing websites, pinterest photos, pictures on fitness websites, etc.
It seemed that everywhere I turned there was an image of an unrealistic women that made me want to retract into my old habits in order to make myself feel better.
But as time went on and I started learning more about myself and what my needs were, I determined ways and strategies that could help me avoid these triggers.
These tips can apply to all triggers or things that are not helping you progress in recovery or your life. Avoiding things typically is not the way to go, but in this case, avoidance comes in handy and can really make a difference in the way you feel about yourself and your recovery.
1. Block people who trigger you on facebook, twitter, tumblr, etc.
2. Get rid of fashion magazines, and stop buying any magazine advertising women's bodies in an unrealistic way.
3. Check out at an isle in the grocery store that does not have these types of magazines.
4. Unfollow triggering boards or people on pinterst.
5. Stop looking back on photos of yourself when you were sick or unhealthy..this won't help you get to where you want to be.
6. Surround yourself with positive body image reminders and role models. Surround yourself with inspiring quotes and sayings that celebrate who you are as a person rather than as a body.
7. And be realistic and use common sense. If someone in a movie or magazine looks like they might be unhealthy or unreal, then it's probably true. You never know what actresses have to go through to be on tv and photos in magazines get airbrushed all the time. In other words, DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU SEE.
All in all, triggering things, places, or people can be hard to avoid, but it's necessary and very helpful to try your best to distance yourself from them for at least a little while, until you are ready to face them again.
Progressing in recovery means letting go of the things of the past and embracing a new image of yourself, but you cannot do this unless you give up these old triggers and ways of looking at the world.
What are your triggers and experiences with handling them, etc?
xoxo
Tayla