Last night was the first group meeting. I was super nervous, but it ended up being better than I had expected. It started out awkwardly, just because everyone was nervous, like me. They started by saying we were going to do an icebreaker and I was ready to run for the door....but it turned out to be us writing anonymously on paper why we were here and what we were hoping to achieve, and they read it out. We talked about perfectionism and mindfulness and then we had a choice to do yoga or a meditation. I chose the yoga, even though it's not something I'm used to. For the 40 minutes that we did it, I felt like I was normal, and that I belonged. It was gentle and positive, and relaxing. I haven't felt normal anywhere in a long time, so it was quite a relief.

It was nice that we talked about the issues around problamatic eating, without going into detail on specific eating behaviours. And we weren't forced to talk if we didn't want to, or anything like that.

Each month they are planning on doing the same format: talking for the first part and an activity after. There's going to be a drum circle, some kind of art therapy, and a team building activity at the other things.

I'm glad I went because it will help in a gentle way, without having to commit to changing behaviours, or eating x, y or z or whatever. Just support so that the triggers aren't as bad.

Thanks for the support while I was deciding
xo
IJ