I am so thankful for my strength.
I was having dinner with a friend the other night, talking about how I never thought I would get to where I am now.
I spent around seven years of my life not being able to sleep through the night. Seven years of suffering from a night eating disorder (full post on this to come), struggling with digestive issues, depression and anxiety.
The thought of sleeping through the night and eating like a normal person was a fantasy. The rare nights that it did happen felt like a blessing. I practically jumped out of bed the next day.
Talking about this, and realizing how different I feel now, reminded me how grateful I am.
Yesterday I pounded away half an hour on the treadmill and stepped off with a giant grin on my face. I can feel my body becoming stronger I know my mind is following.
The past few years I’ve faced some challenges. Sometimes they have been so infuriating that my only calming thought has been ‘There is a reason you need be strong. Take this is a challenge and grow from it.’
I have a lot I want to accomplish in life I know I need to be strong in order to do so.
I feel from the bottom of my heart that I will do something good, and be a positive role model for other women.
It’s Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada and I guess I just want to say I’m grateful.
For my family, my husband, my friends, nourishing food, a great place to live, independence, creativity, and recently, strength.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
girl I am so excited for you and your life journey. both of us will find ourselves and be the people we want to be! the future is unknown but we will get there
I feel I am getting stronger each day with being happy and celebrating life.
xoxo
Thank you my dear, glad to be in this together! Lucky to have friends like you!
Gillian,
You write just so beautifully… You always have… It’s a breath of fresh air & so inspiring to read what you have to say. I had no idea you had been through so much, but it sounds to me like you are amazingly strong already. I wish I were as strong as you are! I’m currently going through an extremely difficult period myself, and I hope & pray I can get through it, with my family, remaining as strong as possible — and keeping my head above water! Every day is a bit of a struggle, and some days are better than others, but I keep on trying… Thank you for your words.
Alice
Thank you so much Alice. Sometimes it definitely feels like life is testing us. I’m so sorry to hear that you’re going through a difficult time. You will get through it, and you don’t always have to be strong. You can let it out and ask for help too (I do often). Sometimes that’s pretty hard to do too. If you ever need someone to talk to in privacy and without judgment please feel free to email me! Lots of love to you and your beautiful family!
You ARE inspiring people and you ARE an amazing role model. I know because I look to you for inspiration and look up to you as a role model every day.
Your journey is amazing and will continue to be amazing, babe!
That means so much to me and it’s very mutual, thank you!
Like I said Gillian, you’re always inspiring! <3
Thank you Marie-Sophie! xo
Happy Thanksgiving Gillian & congrats again on getting married
(Or should I say, ‘welcome to the club’ lol).
Your post was beautifully written (as always), and made me think of the quote I printed out and taped just above my computer. It says, “You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it.”
Whenever I feel overwhelmed by everything, I look at it, and it really does help.
Good luck with everything to come. You (and I) will be just fine I’m sure
Thanks love! That is a great saying and a good reminder! We will be fine, I am sure of it
I love you, thank you for sharing this and I look forward to reading your full post! It takes such bravery and courage to not only admit that you have an issue but to do so in such a public way and you do it with grace, class and compassion. I so appreciate you bringing light to your eating disorder and helping to “normalize” it as such, because there are I am sure of it, so many ladies out there who can relate. xo