Tuesday, November 8, 2011

little you

 Here's a helpful exercise:

Picture yourself when you were five. In fact dig out a photo of little you at the time and tape it to your mirror.

Little me on my 5th Birthday (awww how cute!)

 How would you treat her, love her, feed her? How would you nurture her if you were the mother of little you? I bet you would protect her fiercely while giving her space to spread her itty-bitty wings.

 She'd get naps, healthy food, imagination time, and adventures into the wild. If playground bullies hurt her feelings, you'd hug her tears away and give her perspective. When tantrums or meltdowns turned her into a poltergeist, you'd demand a loving time-out in the naughty chair.


From this day forward I want you to extend the same compassion to your adult self.

"If not you, then who? If not now, then when?" 

the next time your inner nag has something bad to say, stop and think about that kid. Then rewrite your script accordingly. you're worth it angel wing. The world needs you to stand in your holy shazzam glory!
(From Kris Carr, 'Crazy sexy diet')



I have an eating disorder and it is NOT my fault. there. I said it. Loud and proud. I can not carry on with all these self-destructive behaviours. It has to stop and it has to stop soon. 
Instead of belittling and beating myself up for eating 'too much' or doing something 'wrong' I need to take a kinder more gentle approach. 

I force myself to throw up after eating, tell myself I'm fat/worthless/ugly, drag myself to the gym when I'm sick and tired and should be resting.

I'd never treat a 5 year old that way!

So often so many of us struggle to show ourselves the same compassion we would show to others.



  • Do you find it hard to 'accept' that you are worth loving and treating right? how do you deal with these feelings?




12 comments:

Just me said...

Aaaahh Rachel I love you! I needed to hear this right now, thank you so much. Going to take a rest right now because I would not force a five year old to work this hard without ceasing. Keep shining you beautiful girl x x

Emily Hornburg said...

I love this post! (And you are so freaking adorable by the way!) And that is such a good way of putting it. I know that how I treat myself sometimes.... I would never treat a 5 year old that way. Thank babe - I needed this. :)

Anna said...

Rachel I LOVE this post! What a great perspective. Love love love. I will definitely remember this.

Rachel said...

@Just me
I hope you took that rest & that it was wonderful! We all deserve a break sometimes. Afterall, how can you work to your full potential if you're not looking after yourself?

Rachel said...

@Anna
@Emmy
It's a wonderful way of putting things into perspective. love to you both!

Rachel Triska said...

Gah, I remember you when you looked like that!!!!! =-D ALWAYS remember that though you have grown, you have not changed..... and that you deserve everything that little-you got. =-) <3

The Walrus said...

Rachey, I am so glad to see this post. I know i don't comment often but I always read and it always breaks my heart to see you talking about yourself so negatively and it makes my day when you come on positive. I really hope this helps you love, you have suffered so much and for so long. I love you Rachel!! Treat yourself like the fairy princess you dressed to be when you were little, because you are still just as special and precious today!! <3

mlelovesyou2 said...

Aww. This little girl is in you, take care of her. She's VERY precious. I love the photo!! <3

Rachel said...

@Rachel Triska
I remember when you were little too! & we'd have ant races during lunch times because we had nothing better to worry about ;) weren't we the cutest!

Rachel said...

@The Walrus
You have no idea how much that means to me! It's wonderful to know that people are still here, reading, listening, caring. even though I've been so distant. I'm back in Feilding for the holidays as of the 22nd (ish) we need a catch up

Rachel said...

@mlelovesyou2
thank you! we are ALL precious children, and I think sometimes in the chaos of life we forget that. Hope you are taking care of yourself.

Natalie said...

How true! I'm often the least compassionate on myself!