I’ve heard it explained that food cravings derive from an attempt to either quell an emotion or fill an emptiness. For years I knew I was using food as an escape, but it was important for me to look deeper into what I was trying to suppress or satiate. After a considerable amount of trial and error, I was able to get in touch with the single thing that had the biggest impact on my need to use a substance to evade my feelings.

What I ended up needing from food was an escape from myself. I needed a reprieve from the constant judgment I was unconsciously placing on my every action and the actions of others.

The magic ingredient for me? Self-compassion.

At a time of New Year’s resolutions, I like to remind myself that the best and most effective commitment I’ve ever made: 

Be kind and gentle to myself.

That single effort has not only allowed me to maintain healthy habits and routines year after year, it’s also yielded incredible results in my relationships. It has made all the difference in my life to give everyone, including myself, a flippin’ break.