I sometimes joke that my spirit animal is Eeyore. Although
most people know me as an upbeat positive person, I easily get sucked into a
negative headspace. Lately, societal issues (i.e. the stuff on the news) have
been the main catalyst that sparks this internal dialogue about the fate of
humanity and my role in it. Everywhere I look there is another heartbreaking
headline. Another sexual assault allegation. Another school shooting. Another
raid of illegal immigrants forced into deplorable living situations. And that’s
just in the US.
Some of these stories hit close to home and bring up old
feelings and memories; and while I can’t relate personally to others, I feel
deep empathy and sorrow for the devastation these individuals and families must
feel.
For me, the danger comes when I internalize these events. I
become depressed, feeling as though there is no good in the world. I worry
about where we are headed as a society. I become overwhelmed by the sheer
volume of injustices occurring in society, ranging from the stigma around
mental health to full-on genocide – each presenting deep systematic issues that
cannot be solved by a flip of the switch. When I focus on all the bad in the
world, I quickly lose hope that there is any good and feel powerless. I sink
into that Eeyore state of mind.
Just like Eeyore needs Pooh and Tigger around to balance him
out, at times like this, I need people who point to the positive change
occurring in the world. Some of my Tiggers and Poohs I know personally. Maddie,
who courageously stood up and told her story of freedom from her eating
disorder at a NEDA walk. My family, who came together to support my aunt and
uncle with the birth of their new baby. Hayley, who worked as a camp counselor
for fostered youth.
A lot of my Tiggers and Poohs inspire me from a distance.
Aly Raisman and fellow survivors who boldly shared their survivor stories to
stop Larry Nassar from abusing future gymnastics and invoking real change in
the gymnastics community. Gloria Allred and Ruth Bader Ginsburg who fight for
women’s equality in the political world. J.K. Rowling who chased her dream
despite multiple setbacks. And the list goes on…
These people not only remind me that good is happening on a
larger scale, they also encourage me to find the joys in my daily life and hold
them close. I’ve come to know that the more I embrace the good, the more I will
feel empowered to do good and combat the evil in the world. The truth is I
can’t right all the wrongs, but I can and do make a difference.
I model what it looks like to listen to your body and eat
intuitively when I babysit. I further the conversation regarding the truth
about eating disorders and recovery through my work with Project Heal. I listen
to my friends, provide support, and offer advice. I hear different perspectives
discussed in class and learn how to be an effective therapist for my future
clients. These positives don’t take the horrors of the world away, but who
knows? Maybe by finding the joys in my journey, I can be the Tigger or Pooh for
someone else who is feeling like an Eeyore.
