Journaling for recovery....

Journaling before engaging in an eating disorder behaviour can help you to understand the thoughts you are having and the feelings you are trying to numb out due to them being so difficult to deal with...by writing down the thoughts and then trying to imagine how you might speak back to them as if they were being shared with you by someone else, you can access the part of you which wants to recover....the part which doesn't want to engage in the behaviour.

Write down the intrusive thought and then look at it with curiousity....what could you say back?
Imagine it's a friend sharing the thought with you or a loved one....what would you say to them if they told you they felt they needed to engage in something harmful to themselves....now whatever you may say to that friend or loved one....try to say to yourself, compassion is key in recovery and you deserve the kindness you would offer others.

Journaling also helps to get the thoughts out of your head and make space. It can get crowded with intrusive thoughts and they can become so overwhelming if not attended to....be kind to yourself.