Goals

My therapist asked me recently that now that I had passed the one year mark in my recovery journey and had managed to get through the holidays without any disorder-driven behaviors, what were some new goals that I might have at this next phase of recovery. After a very long pause, I managed to mumble through a few lines of using lots of words to say a whole lot of nothing. (A gift that most teachers have, I might add.)

However, on our last few walks, I've given that question some more thought and maybe have come up with a few more coherent answers. . . at least Grace, who unfortunately gets stuck being my sounding board, thinks so.

One goal that I have is to write more. . . write here, write in my journals, write letters, write quotes, just spend time writing. I think it's one of those things that I've always considered a luxury (like I used to think about eating) and I felt that my daily work needed to be complete before I could indulge in it. I want that to change.

Another goal is that I would like to get in touch with friends and family that I have neglected or pushed to the side while my time and attention has been focused on recovery.

I want to hang pictures on my walls. . a sign that I'm committed to "taking up space."

I want to work more and learn more in the area of technology so that I can make sure my teaching strategies are current and relevant.

I want to read more trash, where the conflict is man vs. man or man vs. nature. I want to read less where the conflict is man vs. self. There is enough of that in real life.

I want to start paying attention to the credits in the movies I see. The director and the music contributions are just as important as the leading roles.

I want to be a better listener to my own kids and my parents.

I wish I could write that my major goal was to put the eating disorder behind me, permanently, but that would be more than I can write. The best I can do is to say that today I will live well. Maybe that's all the goal I need.