It’s The Most Wonderful Triggering Time Of The Year
It’s Thanksgiving Day. Greeted with the usual “wow you’ve gotten so big since last year,” you grab a plate and immediately scope out the table of mismatched casserole dishes. The white noise in your mind sounds like:
“You didn’t work out this morning, so maybe skip the pie.”
“The rolls and potatoes look delicious, but pick just one carb.”
“We are going to another dinner after this, so don’t go for seconds.”
Success! You create a “balanced” plate full of a few classic favorites and find a seat next to your favorite cousin. But before blessing the food you hear, “that’s a lot of food for a young lady.”
Growing up in a bigger body and spending 5 Thanksgivings with my eating disorder, the holiday season became the most personally triggering time of the year. In diet culture, Thanksgiving is either your favorite cheat day or the ultimate test: a test to show what you eat or don’t eat in front of extended family and friends. And sure it is just one day, but it is also only two months away from “New Year New You” season, thus the beginning cozy nights filled with twinkling lights and never-ending thoughts of being skinnier.
With the revelation that being skinnier would not solve all my problems, I have slowly learned SO MUCH regarding food, family, and being fat including:
1. Food is neither good nor bad, it is just food. There is so much more to be said on this topic but I will leave that for another time.
2. What someone is eating is not anyone else’s business. On the topic of “not your business,” if someone says something inappropriate about any subject, my favorite response is: “Did you mean to say that out loud?” Remind them that their words are not acceptable.
3. Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable! From sweats to cute dresses, you have the freedom to show or hide your shape. How you look is the least interesting thing about you and the least important part of your holiday.
So if you are struggling with your relationship with food, your body, or family right now, I hope this encourages you to realize what truly matters this time of year. There is so much more to enjoy when you are able to turn off the white noise and focus on good food and quality time.