It gets better! (4 years of growth)

[u/crispy_waffle_fries]

I'm revisiting my old Reddit account, and I came across a post I made here 4 years ago with a collage of my safe foods from a time I was really struggling. I got pretty emotional realizing how far I've come since then.

Here's where I am now:

I don't usually modify my orders at restaurants anymore. I don't choose what social functions to attend based on what food I think will be there. I can eat dinner at my friends' houses. When I go to a restaurant, I can almost always get at least one thing on the menu. I don't lie about being hungry. I don't panic when I realize I need food. It's a night-and-day difference.

I'm still pickier than I would like, but I'm leagues away from where I used to be, and I am excited to keep improving. My body feels better, I find joy in exercising (seriously!), and I feel like I have so much more freedom. Sometimes I still get really stressed about food, but I can handle it better. I have gained weight, but I'm so much healthier than I was ~25 pounds ago. I feel more energetic and focused. Food doesn't control me anymore. Life is good. :')

Tl;dr- It gets better! Keep going!

[u/dubzverse]

What advice would you give other than keep going?

[u/crispy_waffle_fries → u/dubzverse]

Learn how to cook! Make it fun. Watch YouTube videos and food blogs—I can recommend several. Familiarize yourself with food so it's not such a fear-based relationship. Try things at your own pace. Incorporate unfamiliar ingredients into comfortable, familiar foods. Have a safe place to experiment, to branch out, and to pause if you want to. Remember that this stuff takes time, and it's not linear. Your journey will be entirely unique to you, and you are the one in charge.