[Moxie.]

Hey Lucy,

As someone who has also struggled with an eating disorder, I can definitely understand what you're going through. It's hard, but you've reached out to us for help, which is an amazing step in a positive direction. You should be very proud of yourself for that.

While I know how hard eating can be, it's also important to remember that your body needs nourishment. Eating is truly one of the kindest things you can do for yourself. What if you tried with small portions of food that feel safe to you? That could be something like yogurt or a fruit that you enjoy. Eating foods that feel safe can be a great starting point towards eating foods with a bit more substance. However, getting there isn't a sprint, so please don't feel like you're failing if you need to stick with safe foods for a while. The important thing is that you're eating something.

It might also be helpful for you to have an accountability partner to ensure that you're eating at least once a day. This could be a close friend or family member that you trust and that you believe will keep you accountable, even when you're resistant. If having an accountability buddy doesn't feel possible for you, perhaps you could try holding yourself accountable through a reward system of some sort. For example, you could make a tally mark each day you eat something and, after 5 tally marks, you can get yourself a reward or do something that brings you joy.

Finally, I want to encourage you to seek help, if you're not already doing that. Eating disorders are beasts and they can take over our thought processes very easily. Speaking with a therapist about it will likely be extremely helpful, as they'll be able to give you more tips and coping mechanisms to fight the thoughts and behaviors that come with anorexia. They may also be able to help you come up with a plan to work towards beating it.

I know how challenging it is, but recovery is possible! If you would like to talk about this more, please feel free to reply to this thread or PM me anytime. I believe in you!

Take care,
Sam