Thank you so much for the mention, Allison. So much resonance with what you share here - for me, shifting my eating patterns and relationship with food came before quitting alcohol, and I actually found it harder.
I am able to eat intuitively these days, but I was only able to arrive at that place after years of eating a whole-food diet (which I still eat and deeply enjoy) combined with daily yoga and meditation practice (which help me touch into what my body actually wants and needs... as well as the impact of anything I consume - food or otherwise). Currently, I genuinely don’t crave foods that leave me feeling worse after eating them, but that still surprises me - my past self would’ve never believed it was possible, but turns out it is!
Sending care from my heart to yours as you walk your own path with it all ❤️
Thank you for saying that Dana- I am finding my patterns with food and eating harder to shift than the ones I unwound with alcohol. I guess it makes sense. Food has been with me all along. It carries with it a heavy layer of frustration because I feel like “I should know how to do this”. And then I remember, shame won’t get me there.
I so appreciate all the resources you provide in the work you do, my friend 🙏🏼
Thank you, Allison, for revisiting this topic. Getting back to mindful eating is definitely a goal of mine. However, I'm giving myself permission to wait until after retirement, so the new year will be a perfect time to start (again). All the prep of retirement (looking at healthcare plans, informing my students & parents, making sure lesson plans are ready for my replacement, etc) paired with emotions all over the place is about all I can handle right now. Thank you for sharing the pics of Zoey. What a love bug! I totally know what you mean when you say, "the day she rescued us." I've experienced that rescuing as well:) I'm looking forward to your next theme, time, and I'll think about possible themes for 2026. As always, thank you for sharing.
I love that you are honoring and recognizing your capacity right now. You are in the midst of so much change and preparation, it makes sense not to overload your system.
Thanks for reflecting here with us, Crystal. I’m so excited for you - for what’s waiting for you in retirement.
My thoughts on the intuitive eating is that many of us have busted intuition from all of the addictions we fell prey to. It isn’t our fault, but it is easy to listen to a totally legitimate part of our mind that tells us a grilled cheese sandwich is exactly what we need. And then the influx of comfort food wakes up our “intuition” and we also now need a bucket of ice cream. (Maybe it’s just me 😂)
Intentional eating is a better approach. What do we intend for our bodies and souls?
This feels true to me - the way you explain the “busted” intuition. It gets snarly for me because I do trust myself in that I listen to and honor my needs etc but that addict gremlin is still squatting in my brain - overstaying her welcome! And she very convincingly tells me to eat more processed crap (*operative word being “more” - excess is her forte)
Thank you so much for sharing this post, I’ve been in a similar space recently with food. I’ve been sober for almost 6 years, and in the beginning heavily relied on sugar to get through. I’ve had a lifetime of using food to comfort, especially sweets. Last year I was able to go sugar free for over a year, and then…. Recently, my life has gotten extra lifey (moving, separating from a 4 year partnership) and guess what ole familiar companion I’ve been turning to? Hint- It’s not alcohol ;)
So yeah, I’ve been looking around for what might be helpful, and of course wanting to dive into something believing it will be THE thing, and it never is. This process is going to take my presence, my compassion, and my curiosity. Thank you for this space. 💜
Oh I resonate so much with what you share here, Lizzy. It takes whatever it takes to break up with alcohol and then we find ourselves tangled in other compulsions, right? I also have a history of using food to comfort. That trusty companion 🙃
The “wanting to dive into something believing it will be THE thing, and it never is.” I’m in a season of that lately. I know I need to go quiet and go in yet I can’t stop searching for the “solution”.
We’re funny humans aren’t we? Thanks so much for chiming in, Lizzy. 🙏🏼
Allison, first, I am always so happy & inspired when you take care of yourself by not forcing a new essay when you have such a rich archive (note to self, too😀). I appreciated reading this powerful essay again. I needed it. Because while the severe pain due to my low back injury in Feb had me release 30 pounds—due to agony, quite frankly, I had no appetite—my lighter frame is better for my overall health, and I want to maintain it. But my appetite is back in full force and so is sugar and carb cravings, especially on this trip to the U.S. I want the ‘treats’ and yet I’m starting to feel out of control. A bit. This is what I need to remember, as you write, I’ve come a long way. I also move on, and no ‘sauna of shame for me. —“And when I fall back into old patterns of not tuning in to my body before I feed my body food, I move on. I don’t sweat it out in the shame sauna. I step into the next day and simply make better choices. “ Amen! I am excited for your theme of Time. And your upcoming live with Julie. Appreciate the ‘four to follow,’ and will be reading Kirsti and Dana. Take care my friend!
Thanks for sharing, Amy. Yes, the feeling out of control is unnerving- especially when it has a particular insistence to it. Got me, it can feel triggering. Too familiar to my relationship with alcohol.
And then, I remember, I can move on from this. I don’t need to live in that pull today.
I loved seeing all the fun adventures you had in the US!
Thank you so much for the mention, Allison. So much resonance with what you share here - for me, shifting my eating patterns and relationship with food came before quitting alcohol, and I actually found it harder.
I am able to eat intuitively these days, but I was only able to arrive at that place after years of eating a whole-food diet (which I still eat and deeply enjoy) combined with daily yoga and meditation practice (which help me touch into what my body actually wants and needs... as well as the impact of anything I consume - food or otherwise). Currently, I genuinely don’t crave foods that leave me feeling worse after eating them, but that still surprises me - my past self would’ve never believed it was possible, but turns out it is!
Sending care from my heart to yours as you walk your own path with it all ❤️
Thank you for saying that Dana- I am finding my patterns with food and eating harder to shift than the ones I unwound with alcohol. I guess it makes sense. Food has been with me all along. It carries with it a heavy layer of frustration because I feel like “I should know how to do this”. And then I remember, shame won’t get me there.
I so appreciate all the resources you provide in the work you do, my friend 🙏🏼
Thank you, Allison, for revisiting this topic. Getting back to mindful eating is definitely a goal of mine. However, I'm giving myself permission to wait until after retirement, so the new year will be a perfect time to start (again). All the prep of retirement (looking at healthcare plans, informing my students & parents, making sure lesson plans are ready for my replacement, etc) paired with emotions all over the place is about all I can handle right now. Thank you for sharing the pics of Zoey. What a love bug! I totally know what you mean when you say, "the day she rescued us." I've experienced that rescuing as well:) I'm looking forward to your next theme, time, and I'll think about possible themes for 2026. As always, thank you for sharing.
I love that you are honoring and recognizing your capacity right now. You are in the midst of so much change and preparation, it makes sense not to overload your system.
Thanks for reflecting here with us, Crystal. I’m so excited for you - for what’s waiting for you in retirement.
This is a beautiful post Allison
I agree, sharing things that are shaky can often lead to wonderful growth, not always immediately. Keep going woman.
Thank you, Prajna 🙏🏼
My thoughts on the intuitive eating is that many of us have busted intuition from all of the addictions we fell prey to. It isn’t our fault, but it is easy to listen to a totally legitimate part of our mind that tells us a grilled cheese sandwich is exactly what we need. And then the influx of comfort food wakes up our “intuition” and we also now need a bucket of ice cream. (Maybe it’s just me 😂)
Intentional eating is a better approach. What do we intend for our bodies and souls?
This feels true to me - the way you explain the “busted” intuition. It gets snarly for me because I do trust myself in that I listen to and honor my needs etc but that addict gremlin is still squatting in my brain - overstaying her welcome! And she very convincingly tells me to eat more processed crap (*operative word being “more” - excess is her forte)
Thanks for reflecting here, Tim.
Thank you so much for sharing this post, I’ve been in a similar space recently with food. I’ve been sober for almost 6 years, and in the beginning heavily relied on sugar to get through. I’ve had a lifetime of using food to comfort, especially sweets. Last year I was able to go sugar free for over a year, and then…. Recently, my life has gotten extra lifey (moving, separating from a 4 year partnership) and guess what ole familiar companion I’ve been turning to? Hint- It’s not alcohol ;)
So yeah, I’ve been looking around for what might be helpful, and of course wanting to dive into something believing it will be THE thing, and it never is. This process is going to take my presence, my compassion, and my curiosity. Thank you for this space. 💜
Oh I resonate so much with what you share here, Lizzy. It takes whatever it takes to break up with alcohol and then we find ourselves tangled in other compulsions, right? I also have a history of using food to comfort. That trusty companion 🙃
The “wanting to dive into something believing it will be THE thing, and it never is.” I’m in a season of that lately. I know I need to go quiet and go in yet I can’t stop searching for the “solution”.
We’re funny humans aren’t we? Thanks so much for chiming in, Lizzy. 🙏🏼
Allison, first, I am always so happy & inspired when you take care of yourself by not forcing a new essay when you have such a rich archive (note to self, too😀). I appreciated reading this powerful essay again. I needed it. Because while the severe pain due to my low back injury in Feb had me release 30 pounds—due to agony, quite frankly, I had no appetite—my lighter frame is better for my overall health, and I want to maintain it. But my appetite is back in full force and so is sugar and carb cravings, especially on this trip to the U.S. I want the ‘treats’ and yet I’m starting to feel out of control. A bit. This is what I need to remember, as you write, I’ve come a long way. I also move on, and no ‘sauna of shame for me. —“And when I fall back into old patterns of not tuning in to my body before I feed my body food, I move on. I don’t sweat it out in the shame sauna. I step into the next day and simply make better choices. “ Amen! I am excited for your theme of Time. And your upcoming live with Julie. Appreciate the ‘four to follow,’ and will be reading Kirsti and Dana. Take care my friend!
Thanks for sharing, Amy. Yes, the feeling out of control is unnerving- especially when it has a particular insistence to it. Got me, it can feel triggering. Too familiar to my relationship with alcohol.
And then, I remember, I can move on from this. I don’t need to live in that pull today.
I loved seeing all the fun adventures you had in the US!