When you crunch on potato chips for the sole purpose of drowning out the negative voices in your head, you also drown out the positive ones.

When you have one more glass of wine for the sole purpose of numbing sadness and anger, you also numb joy and contentment. And you wake up in the middle of the night sweating and with your heart pounding.

When you eat ice cream out of the carton, even if just two spoonfuls, you’re certainly not enjoying it, and when you don’t enjoy it, it doesn’t feel good in your body.

When you can’t find it within yourself to make a nice meal, and you sit down with a bag of Smartfood popcorn instead, you’re not honoring your body, and when you don’t honor your body, it feels fat.

When you shovel the food in, barely chew it, and don’t really taste it, you eat more than you need. And when you eat more than you need, you find yourself reaching for the Tums.

When you sit at your desk for hours on end, distracting yourself from doing what makes you feel alive, a little piece of you dies. And your body feels stiff and painful.

Take a deep breath.

Soften your eyes.

Unlock your posture.

Slow down.

Chew.

Taste.

Acknowledge reality.

Do your best.

You are okay. Really.

You are free!