Courageous Decisions

This post is a little bit of a deviance from my normal posting. I write about many topics, but many of them fall into health and fitness. Many of you who have followed me for a while know that I am a strong advocate for balanced mental health and speak out against eating disorders. Every once in a while, I share a bit of my journey alongside my sister who has struggled with a serious eating disorder for over a decade. It is my hope that those reading who require help will seek it and those who just need to be reminded that health, both mental and physical, is the best thing you can choose for yourself, can continue to take care of themselves and others around them. Be well. 

“How is your sister doing?”

I get asked this question often from the kind people in my life whether they have met Jolene or not, and I still have no idea how to answer it.

Mostly, I stumble through some answer that more or less lands on that she is doing exactly the same as the last time they asked and basically is stuck in the same routine and rhythm that she has been for years – shockingly underweight, yet functioning.

The truth is, she IS stuck. An eating disorder is HARD and messy and uncomfortable. Uncomfortable enough that I often have distanced myself from the situation because she hasn’t taken any sort of initiative to get better.

Until now.

So let me tell you how my sister is doing.

This week, she flew across North America to go to a treatment centre in Miami for her first round of treatment as an adult. She made the decision all by herself, she did the research, she even cancelled her next semester in school because she knew it was the right thing to do. She is funding her own treatment and is absolutely terrified because she knows that this time, it has ramifications and there is no end date. She will simply be there until it is time.

I am so dang proud of her for making this decision, because I know how much she wrestled with it. She knew she was giving up birthday celebrations, a school semester, potentially Christmas, but she understood that she stood to gain a lot more.

I am going to miss the little nugget something fierce as she fights for her future but I am proud of her for making such a bold, courageous decision. Seeking help is hard, especially when it puts you face to face with your greatest fears.

So as you head into the weekend, if you have a moment – bring the thunder for Jolene. She is feeling scared and lonely in her new place and could use a little light.

Thank you everyone and have a healthy weekend.