Eating disorders involve many unhealthy rituals that strengthen their hold on a person's mind, body, and spirit. Whether it's the habitual hop onto the scale first thing in the morning, the purposeful gathering of binge foods, or the aftercare steps performed to hide evidence of purging, these rituals hinder recovery and keep us locked in shame and solitude.
Yet recovery offers you the chance to reclaim rituals and use them instead to develop a supportive, empowering relationship with yourself.
Why now? The spring equinox. Happening this year on March 19th, the equinox occurs when the sun crosses the celestial equator marking the moment when night and day are equal in length. And most important to me, and many other Northern Hemisphere folks, it signals the arrival of spring. 🌷YAY! HELLO, SPRING!🌿
The spring equinox holds significance in a variety of cultures and traditions and is a wonderful time to incorporate some healing rituals.
Themes that can be of particular significance for eating disorder recovery include:
- renewal (as demonstrated by the arrival of springtime flora and fauna)
- balance (think equal length of day and night)
- connection (community-oriented gatherings and traditions)
- transformation (symbolized by emerging from a season of darkness and into one of light)
So what are rituals?
More than routines, rituals have the boost of intention behind them. You may brush your teeth routinely but if you brush your teeth with the intention of it being an act of self-care and kindness toward your body, that's something different, right?
Rituals are the love-child of intention and action.
They can provide a sense of structure and routine, generate creative opportunities, acknowledge important milestones, foster connection and support, help you release that which no longer serves you, and usher in new growth and wisdom.
Sounds pretty powerful for something as complex and pivotal as eating disorder recovery!
Here are 6 rituals that will help you plant seeds in your recovery that will continue to serve you for years to come:
- Spring Cleaning: Use this time to intentionally remove items from your environment that are not conducive to your recovery. Consider donating clothing items that don't fit or are uncomfortable as a symbolic gesture of giving back and moving forward. Maybe you've had a longtime goal to get rid of your scale. Use the equinox energy to get on with it!
- Meal Blessings: Spiritually-minded or not, you can take a moment to bless or affirm each meal and snack before you begin to eat. You may even set an intention if there are any particular food or table behavior goals you are working on. Meal blessings can help you incorporate more mindfulness and positivity into your eating experiences.
- Community Connection: Create a ritual of connection by reaching out to friends, family members, or recovery peers who understand and support your journey. Perhaps it's a text in the evening to share your small victories, or a weekly call to share gratitudes with another grateful human.
- Rinse of Renewal: When you take a bath or shower, visualize the rinsing away of disordered habits and beliefs. Imagine yourself emerging from the water renewed and refreshed. You can even utilize candles, soap, or shower mist in a spring scent like jasmine or citrus for added delight.
- Potted Hope: On several strips of paper, write out your hopes for recovery. Include any intentions, your reasons for healing, goals, and aspirations. Find a small clay pot that you can decorate with paint or decoupage. Once complete, "plant" each seed in the pot by reading each strip of paper and visualizing your healing and growth.
- Seedling Stroll: Choose a place in nature for this moving meditation. Walking at half your normal pace, pay attention to the sensations of each step. Try it barefoot if it's safe and appropriate to do so! Allow your eyes to take in the budding beauty around you. Look for and notice any small signs of spring that could otherwise be missed in the rush of everyday life.
The possibilities are endless. By incorporating intentional recovery rituals into our lives during this time, we can symbolically release old, disordered patterns and welcome the energy of new beginnings. Whether it's through connecting with nature, practicing self-care, or fostering community support, these rituals serve as powerful reminders of our resilience and capacity for healing.
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✨ Josie Munroe, LMFT is a licensed therapist and owner of JosieMunroe.com and Your Sensitive Recovery As a recovered clinician and Highly Sensitive Person, she loves supporting others on their journeys to form new, empowered relationships with food, their bodies, and their sensitivity. Join the newsletter for a weekly boost of hope and inspiration. You deserve a recovery that works for you! ✨
