Journaling saved my life. It was the lifeline that helped me claw my way out of the depths of my eating disorder. With so many types of journals out there—gratitude journals, daily journals, you name it—I found my salvation in what I called my Strong Journal. This wasn't just a collection of thoughts; it was a tool that transformed a negative, destructive habit into a powerful, positive force in my life.

At the height of my eating disorder, my journal was a battlefield where I meticulously tracked every calorie consumed and burned. It was a weapon of self-destruction, feeding my obsession with control. One day, I decided it was time to take that negativity and give it purpose. To take back control in the most positive way possible, I started my Strong Journal.

I focused on documenting three strong choices I made each day. These weren’t monumental feats but tiny victories that marked my path to recovery. In my TEDx talk, I emphasize that my recovery started in the minutiae—in the small, seemingly insignificant moments where I chose strength over self-destruction.

What Strong Choices Look Like

Your strong journal is your space to reclaim your power and celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Here are some examples of strong choices you can include:

1. Adding healthy fats to your meal: Opting for nutrient-rich options like avocado can be a simple yet powerful choice for your body.
2. Listening to your body: Choosing to go for a walk instead of pushing through a planned run shows respect and attunement to your needs.
3. Unfollowing negative influences: Removing social media accounts that make you feel less than you are is a bold step toward protecting your mental health.
4. Practicing mindfulness for five minutes: Taking a moment to center yourself can make a world of difference in your mental state.
5. Saying no to something that drains you: Setting boundaries is a crucial act of self-preservation and strength.
6. Complimenting yourself: Acknowledging something you like about yourself each day reinforces self-love and acceptance.
7. Reaching out for support: Connecting with a friend or a support group when you need help is a courageous and strong choice.

The key is to focus on the small, deliberate actions that reinforce a positive mindset and build your confidence. This process is about owning your space and place in the world at your pace. The moment you decide not to care what anyone else thinks of you is the moment you have taken back your power.

By starting a strong journal, you’re not just chronicling your journey; you’re rewriting your story. You’re turning the page on a new chapter of strength, resilience, and self-acceptance.

So grab that journal, start documenting your strong choices, and watch how these tiny moments of strength accumulate into a powerful narrative of recovery and empowerment.

Let's turn the page together and ignite the world with our unapologetic strength.