Mastery = Comprehensive knowledge or skill in a subject or accomplishment; talent, skill, or proficiency in a particular area; Synonyms: proficiency, ability, capability, and aptness
I used to feel masterful over losing weight. I felt skillful only eating fruits and vegetables. I felt accomplished over doing two hours of cardio each day without fail. This sense of mastery kept me sick. The areas of where I felt a sense of accomplishment were destructive, unhealthy and only fed on my obsessions and compulsions.
Feeling a sense of mastery is an important skill with recovery from anorexia. This is where you start to create an identity apart from your eating disorder. You start to build up your healthy self. I encourage you to focus on other areas of your life that you can feel mastery with. Start with questions like these:
What makes you feel competent?
What strengthens your sense of confidence?
When do you truly feel accomplished?
One day I was in my office and I asked myself these same questions. Here is my list:
- Running a successful private practice
- Being a good daughter, sister, aunt and friend
- Writing a blog to inspire hope
- Creating and fostering healthy relationships
- Building a relationship with my higher power
- Feeding my body nutritious foods
- Helping others in times of distress
Spend some time answering these questions. Really check-in with yourself and make your own list. If you struggle with answering the questions maybe a friend, mentor or therapist can help you to explore.
We can recover one day at a time.
Serenity Always,
Meredith
