Re-Creating our Relationship to Food

Today, I'd love to explore with you your current relationship with food - and start to explore what you would like that relationship to look like.

Here's something you can actually do with me - You will just need a few minutes to yourself, and something to write with. If it's too much, then just stop and step away and take care of yourself. Take what helps, leave the rest.

Journalling for our Relationship to Food:

Take a moment to set up in a comfortable, quiet place if possible - because if you can give yourself some space to do this, then do :)

Let’s begin by writing down ten words that come to mind when you think about food. What foods would you call healthy/unhealthy?

Let’s pause to reflect on the words you have written down.

• Do you notice any patterns?

• Do they tell you anything about how you view food in your life?

• Is food a friend or foe? 

Take a deep breath in, and out.

Now, if it feels ok to do so, notice your body. Does it feel free when thinking about food and these words to do with food? Or does it feel like a battle or a struggle?

What sort of feelings are in your body?

• Appreciation and gratitude?

• Resentment and fear?

• Do you feel expansive and spacious or restricted?

Just notice, without judging yourself. These feelings are allowed to be in your body.

Take a deep breath in, and out.

Now, imagine an ideal relationship with food. Write down ten words that encapsulate this relationship, and that you’d like to associate with food and eating.

Reflecting on these words now, notice your body. Take a breath in, and out. What sort of feelings now are in your body as you keep these new words in mind? 

As we bring into awareness our current relationship with food, know that we can begin to shape it and take steps to move towards your ideal words and relationship.

And if you want to re-create your relationship into those words your wrote down second, then we can help you step into them with IFS.

Because I believe that when we focus on our relationship to food first - that's when we find true freedom, a style of eating that sticks and truly adds to our health. Parts of us have often taken in beliefs about food, and had difficult experiences with food - both in our personal history and in our wider culture and society. Scarcity, worthiness, acceptance, control...

Isn't it time you tried a different way? Learnt how to show up for yourself a little differently? Just imagine how that might feel...