Recovery is not linear. It is common during the journey of recovery to meet many obstacles or lapses. Therefore, it is significant to understand that it is ok to relapse. However, You have to know also that a relapse doesn’t mean that you have failed. Instead, view it as an opportunity to learn, move forward, and become stronger in your recovery.

 

Here are some guidelines that can help you get on track again:

1. Remember why you chose recovery in the first place. write a list of reasons and always keep it in front of you.
2. Analyze your relapse. Be aware of what triggered your relapse, and learn how to cope with them. It is significant to understand what happened. Stay away from toxic people or things that would fuel your ED voice.
3. Always remember that the progress you've accomplished hasn't gone downhill, relapse does not mean you have failed, because you have been through this, and can do it again. It's not too late.
4. Seek help from a professional or talk to someone you trust, do not be ashamed to do that. They are here to help you.
5. إour emotions, feelings, and thoughts are valid, do not bottle them up.
6. Remember to take care of yourself, You don't need to love yourself to care about it, you can care about it until you love it, do something that makes you feel safe, go for a walk, or take a shower. you deserve it
7. Throw out scales, cover mirrors and stay away from body checking, these can trigger a full-blown relapse.
8. Challenge yourself to eat something "comfortable" for you with someone you love, it doesn't need to be what others are eating. As long as you're fueling your body in some way.
9. Do not use this time of struggling as an excuse to do what your Eating disorder says to you. I promise i know how it convinces you that "since you're doing everything so bad, this doesn't matter" it's all lies.
10. Have hope, even if you've hit rock bottom, there is always hope. Try to stay positive, have a distraction, create a goal, surround yourself with positive people, and never forget that it's not too late to recover

Finally, don't be harsh on yourself, You are not alone. Although, at times, it can feel like the loneliest place on the planet. It is also important to keep in mind that not every relapse is the same, the warning signs can vary, and the coping mechanisms that work for one person may not work for the next.