To say there is a lot going on in the world feels woefully inadequate. Right now the world feels like a marathon of absurdities, tragedies, and fear. In the face of so much chaos, it can be tempting to go back to old ways of coping.

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Let’s hold space for how we have survived up to this point. It is natural that in the face of uncertainty, we long for what feels familiar and comfortable. And utilizing those old familiar ways of coping doesn’t mean we are not making progress. It usually means this is the best way we know how to take care of ourselves. 

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“Maladaptive coping skills” is a term that gets thrown around in psychology. And frankly, that’s bullshit. What may be labeled “maladaptive” in some circles I think could just as easily be called “survival coping skills”. Did that coping skill keep you alive and here to fight another day? If the answer is yes, I can’t really see it as all “bad”. 

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So if you find yourself using old familiar coping skills when it comes to your body or food, have some compassion for yourself. You are dealing with a lot right now. The world is dealing with a lot right now. Caring for your body allows you to fight, resist, and support one another in the midst of the injustices happening around us. You deserve to care for it to the best of your ability. Your body needs you. The world needs you. 

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 And if you find that you want to add some other ways of coping to your library of skills, feel free to reach out or join my Anti-Diet support group.

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Photo by Daniele Levis Pelusi on Unsplash