Recovery Isn't a Straight Line
By: Erin M., Alumna of The Renfrew Center of Chicago
Posted on June 15, 2020
Last week, I graduated from high school. Honestly, I didn't think I would make it this far. My eating disorder consumed my life from such a young age, and I did not know recovery was even possible. But it is. I am so so happy to say I am fully dedicated to my recovery today. I am going to college next year at my top choice school, and none of this would have been possible without recovering.
My recovery has not been a straight line. I was in and out of PHP and IOP at The Renfrew Center twice within 2019 and early 2020. I kept hearing from others that things would get better, but for a really long time, they didn't. The voice telling me that I was not worthy of food was so strong. But I still kept trying, staring down my eating disorder at every meal. Eventually, the voice became quieter. It had been loud for so long that I started to miss it. But then I realized my life was becoming easier without that voice. I realized I had my own voice to offer to the world.
Recovery has empowered me to speak my truth. It has given me the strength to do what I love to do. I am beyond proud of myself and how much I have grown as a person. I cannot wait for what the future holds.
Erin will be attending the Boston Conservatory at Berklee in the fall. She has been in recovery since the summer of 2019.
