what i learned in treatment.
Treatment was a large portion of my college education. It is not something that you leave behind with discharge and just continue on with your life and forget about it. They are life lessons that everyone should have to learn at some point or another, but some of us just had to learn it the hard way.
Having been out of treatment for almost 2.5 years, I don’t really catch it anymore, but every now and then I’ll realize that something I’m thinking, doing or (most importantly) eating is only happening because of my treatment.
Because I went to Walden, I (still)…
- am always careful to use “I” statements went making confrontations.
- understand that validation is very important.. and get what it is.
- hear that damn bell every time I put myself down.
- cannot eat Cheerios without almond slices.
- ..cannot eat many things without almond slices..
- don’t really eat jelly anymore because there’s no nutritional value to it.
- can make a kick ass stir-fry.
- am in love with chili and stuffed peppers.. two things I would have never thought I’d like.
- am a very strong advocate for Fish Oil.
- know that milk and I just cannot be friends.. but we still sneak around..
- know that staring at the sun with your eyes closed can actually improve your sight.
- know the official rules to calling “Rummy” during.. Rummy.
- will always prefer to drink with a straw, almost out of spite.
- have way more hats in my house than I will ever know what to do with…
- have to wait another 4.5 years before my record clears and I can actually work there…
Treatment is not just about learning DBT and eating and journaling for 10 hours a day. There are parts of my life that I just wouldn’t have without the time I spent in treatment. It’s funny the effect such an event can have beyond what we expect to get out of it.
What are things you do in your every day life that you picked up from your days in treatment?
The Binge Diary said:
Jun 23, 10 at 10:25 pmI am going to inpatient on Monday! Aaahhhh I have no idea what to expect. Any advice before I go??
Bill said:
Jun 24, 10 at 8:59 amThank you very much for this and your many other helpful posts.
Em said:
Jun 24, 10 at 11:59 pmEmmy-
I just wanted to let you know that I added you to my list of blogs I’m following. I’ve been reading for a while, but I finally created my own blog. I know you don’t post much any more, but I definitely enjoy reading when you do.
-Em
Emmy said:
Jun 26, 10 at 9:00 amI appreciate it! Thank you very much
Emmy said:
Jun 26, 10 at 9:00 amI e-mailed you