How Long Have You Been An Emotional Eater_

How Long Have You Been an Emotional Eater?

Let’s talk, chat, convo about Language.

Not English, or Spanish, or even Pig-latin – rather, the words we say to ourselves and others. Because A LOT can be determined about what we think, and how we think it by the language we use. No one is immune to this revealing phenomenon – not even me.

But today, I want to share with you an example.

Not because anyone needs beating about the head and shoulders, but because I find that when your attention is drawn to a habit of action, the realization of that action (that you’re doing it) is enough to make you think about it and consider what you believe and hold to be true about yourself.

And that’s when the magic happens.

Today.

A woman had just joined one of my Facebook groups. After only a few hours in the group, she asked me to post rules around posting “trigger warnings” in the group. She stated, “I’m trying to recover from almost 20 years of ____ eating and some posts just add fuel to the fire.“

First, I want to commend her for her honesty and vulnerability to tell a total stranger such a thing. Secondly and more importantly, I want to draw your attention to “almost 20.”

“Almost 20” is “not quite 20.” It’s “19 and change” or “more than 19.” But it’s less than 20.

That means that she is rounding up her time as a ____ eater, instead of rounding down. This means that she has some sort of vested interest in the meaning behind it.

  • Does 20 years of struggle sound more impressive than 19?
  • Does the number get her more compassion and sympathy from others?
  • Does it make her have more compassion and sympathy for herself?

Or is it a name badge? A title she married herself to.

“Hi, I’m ______________, and I’m a recovering ___________ (binge, over, stress, emotional) eater. “

Today.

Now.

Let go of your story. Let go of your name-tag. Drop your badge at the door. There is no extra credit given for struggling the longest and the hardest.

Yes, whatever behavior you’re engaging in is a part of your story (your history) – but it’s not who you are.

You are SO much more than that.

Binge, emotional, and stress eating are all coping mechanisms or skills.

You can (and I hope will) learn others.

Image Credits:
     StockSnap licensed under Pixabay License

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Christy R. Hall

Christy R. Hall is a Wellness Mindset Coach & Emotional Alchemist. She focuses on helping people change their lives from the inside out. Trained in hypnosis, Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT), various Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), she has numerous skills to help clients achieve real and lasting change. Christy says, “When you know how the mind works, it’s easy to make changes.” Christy fancies herself to be a Jedi Master, a verbal Ninja, and a Mindset Architect. In her free time, she spins yarn (both literally spinning fiber into yarn, as well as, writing), crochets for charity, watches silly cat videos, looks at pictures of Corgis, and plays massively multiplayer online games. Her current favorite is Elder Scrolls Online.