Mirror, mirror...

Mirror, mirror on the wall…

Who’s the fairest one of all?

Ever look at yourself in the mirror and think you look okay, even good - but five minutes later your image in the same mirror seems distorted and huge?

Is what you’re seeing in the mirror reality?  Or is it a reflection of an inner conflict?

Our perceptions of ourselves can be influenced by emotions, needs, and wants.

If you think you look “fat” or “too big” perhaps that is an expression of your conflict over needs and wants.  Do you feel as if you’re too much for others?   That you want too much?  Do you imagine that you burden people with your needs?  That sense of wanting too much, or needing too much, can be unconsciously experienced as seeing yourself as literally too big.

What do you need that you’re not getting?

What do you want more of in your life?  Love?  Compassion?  Interest?  Friends?  Connection?  Money?  Security?  Safety?  Joy?  Fun?

What’s “too much” about you, and where did you get that idea about yourself?  People who grow up in families in which emotionality is labeled “dramatic” or “oversensitive” learn to dismiss their feelings and think that their emotions are too much.  This can then be expressed in concrete, physical terms  about their size.

If you struggle with disordered eating, the mirror can lie.  What is your truth?

Comments and questions are welcome.  Please share on Facebook and/or Twitter so more people can benefit from the information on this blog.

"Like" me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter

Legal Disclaimer:  The content on this site is for educational and informational purposes only.  It is not intended as psychotherapy or as a substitute for psychotherapy advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Appetite For Life

“Playing Small Does Not Serve The World”

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?” Actually, who are you not to be? …Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. …It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” -Marianne Williamson

The terms “playing small” and “shrinking” can be interpreted in different ways. These phrases refer to denying self-confidence, empowerment, and power, and also can be understood to mean literally shrinking your body to be as small as possible.

People often believe that having power over food translates to feeling powerful in life. The opposite is usually true. When you shrink your body, and diminish your sense of self, your world narrows in scope, and your world narrows to the number on the scale. When your world is small, you feel insignificant, helpless, and powerless. You may feel as if you’re merely existing.

Conversely, when you embrace your personal sense of self, your power and dream big, when you have an appetite for life, you’re more likely to feel as if you are truly living.

What would be different if you allowed yourself more of an appetite for life?

How do you keep yourself small?

What does it mean to take up space in the world, to feel powerful?

What is your hope about embracing your sense of self?

What is your fear about being powerful?

Describe what it would mean to “live” rather than merely “exist”?

Comments and questions are welcome.  Please share on Facebook and/or Twitter so more people can benefit from the information on this blog.

"Like" me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter

Legal Disclaimer:  The content on this site is for educational and informational purposes only.  It is not intended as psychotherapy or as a substitute for psychotherapy advice, diagnosis or treatment.