Here in the U.S., we will celebrate Thanksgiving this week, a day to count our blessings—and of course, enjoy a lot of delicious foods!
As I think about all I’m grateful for, I am especially grateful that a day centered around eating is no longer a problem for me. But it’s bigger than that. I am actually grateful for my struggle with food!
If you’re still struggling with food, it may seem odd to hear that, but I mean it. You see, there’s a saying,
“How you do anything is how you do everything.”
How I was “doing” food was how I was doing the rest of my life: Striving, perfectionism, and approval-seeking. These behaviors tend to be rewarded in our culture, but come at a high price: Insecurity, shame, and exhaustion.
My struggle with food
In my relationship with food, these tendencies caused me to succumb to diet-culture, the belief that my body wasn’t good enough and that somewhere “out there” was an eating and exercise plan that would finally “fix” it. Being the striving, perfectionist I was, I could follow a diet to the letter—until I couldn’t. My belief that I was either doing it “right” or doing it “wrong” inevitably caused me to give up, binge, then repeat the process all over again.
When I discovered a whole new way to “do” food that didn’t require rules, perfection, or rigidity, it was a huge relief! It took awhile to figure out how to make this giant shift, but it made all the difference in the world!
And then, this shift began to make its way into my other thoughts and behaviors. I discovered that there was a whole other way to “do” my life that didn’t require rigidity, striving, and perfection. In place of insecurity, shame, and exhaustion, I cultivate presence, curiosity, compassion, peace, and purpose.
Amazingly, resolving my struggle with food became a gift that has made my entire life better. And for that, I am so grateful!
Whether you live in the U.S. or elsewhere, I hope you will take a few moments to count your blessings, and consider whether some of the difficulties in your life brought lessons and gifts you can be grateful for too!
Updated from a previously published version.
Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you:
How mindful eating opens the door to mindful living
Eating Mindfully on Thanksgiving
Not Another “How to Cut 300 Calories from Your Thanksgiving Dinner” Article
