This thing we call "normal"...

I love how we spend so much of our time in recovery trying to become "normal." But what is normal really? Sometimes I feel like it's this ideal or impossible standard we're trying to achieve - to never have negative thoughts, to never make mistakes or slip up, to never eat too much or eat too little. Sounds a little too much like being perfect to me. I think part of being normal is accepting that there are going to be moments when you feel ugly or stupid or days when you don't eat as healthily as you should, but at the same time not letting those moments take over your life and become an obsession. Maybe a better way to look at "normal" is to think of it as what makes you happy and what makes you feel fulfilled. Maybe that means having dessert when you want to have dessert. Maybe that means looking in the mirror, thinking "wow, I'm unattractive today" but then putting on your favorite pair of jeans and strutting your stuff, maybe that means going on a walk with a friend to get some fresh air. I know I'll never be perfect in this life, so for now I'm just going to shoot for "normal" - for "happy and fulfilled."