How to eat alone, not feel guilty and not restrict your meals? How to enjoy yourself alone at the table? Well, a lot of times I needed to eat alone, but the moment I moved back to the dorm I needed to eat alone all day every day for 5 days a week. It was so scary and difficult at the beginning but it is possible!
1. MAKE A MEAL
You need to make something you actually enjoy and love so much. Make a beautiful and warm meal, light up a candle on your desk and sit down.
2. BREATHE
Don't overwhelm yourself with all of those fears, don't let them take over you. Don't let yourself get lost in your mind. Close your eyes and take a deep breath.
3. DISTRACT YOURSELF
If you are having a hard time, you are getting anxious and alone. Put a funny YouTube video, watch some food videos, watch a travel vlog, or maybe my videos. Distance yourself from your mind, make another little safe planet in your head where you can eat freely.
4. DO IT FOR YOURSELF
I know it is hard to go and eat when you have the opportunity not to. You would rather stay hungry in your room, alone and cold then choose to go eat something and possibly make new friends. You are scared for dozens of reasons, and I won't get into them now because of THEY ARENT IMPORTANT. You need to remember that you are here only once and that if you don't learn to eat alone you cant have life sorry, you cant expect from your dad, mom or friend to always sit at the other side of the table and cheer you on. Of course, that is beautiful, but if you have 5 please grow up, take a breath and do it for yourself and be an adult.
5. CELEBRATE
Share your victory with friends and family, with the recovery community. If you are scared they won't believe you that you ate, film yourself, take a picture of that beautiful and nourishing meal and celebrate.
6. DONT FORGET TO PRACTICE
Do this one a week for one meal, then slowly increase, you don't have to go to another country to do it. Just do it, and it is scary but it is worth it. Be an adult.