29 Ideas of Thanks

Particularly in the world of young people who struggle with eating disorders (but not excluding old people, or those who don't have eating disorders!), there is a great distaste for Thanksgiving. "I don't like the food" "Why do I need turkey to show that I'm thankful for my family?" "I don't even know if I'm thankful for my family!"

I don't like turkey, and I'm not sure how I feel about my family. But here are 29 ideas of what you and I might be thankful for this year, Thanksgiving 2009.

29. I am thankful that I am not in the hospital (or residential treatment center, or other form of intensive treatment). You can even play this up by adding, BECAUSE I DO NOT NEED TO BE THERE! But only if that's really truly true.

28. I am thankful that there is wine at Thanksgiving Dinner...and also thankful that I am not dependent on it.

27. I am thankful that this holiday happens only once a year... but I am still thankful that it does happen every year.

26. I am thankful to have a family who I do not need to spend time with every waking moment of every day.

25. I am thankful for technology, and the instant access to support that it brings me.

24. I am thankful for my friends. (the good ones, anyway)

23. I am thankful for my therapist. (I was thankful for her last year too)

22. I am thankful of my pet(s). I don't know where I'd be without my cat, Paws, except that I would have a few less scars on me...

21. I am thankful that we have vegetables at Thanksgiving dinner.

20. I am thankful that my extended family is just about as uncool as I am.

19. I am thankful for Scrubs, The Golden Girls, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and Law & Order: SVU.

18. I am thankful that I am in school, and not on a leave of absence.

17. I am thankful that I am healthy enough to practice yoga.

16. I am thankful that I can read, and even more thankful that I have the time to do so.

15. I am thankful that I'm a good "stalker" and can find out basically anything I need to know (even though it would be much easier if I had a Blackberry!).

14. I am thankful that I am not in middle school anymore. (Or high school, for that matter. Or college...)

13. I am thankful that I have been learning to take care of myself.

12. I am thankful that I am not allergic to cats.

11. I am thankful that I live in New York.

10. I am thankful that I have a license and a car.

09. I am thankful that I know how to spell, and know how to write well (even if I don't use proper grammar 100% of the time. At least I KNOW it).

08. I am thankful for my psychiatrist and my nutritionist.

07. I am thankful for the ability to find the best in even the worst situations.

06. I am thankful that I have a personality and a sense of humor.

05. I am thankful that I am really good at texting while driving (although I really need to stop. It is really dangerous. I am also thankful that I haven't hurt myself or anyone else while doing this. And thankful that I have been able to cut it way way down).

04. I am thankful that I am not addicted to caffeine anymore (or anything else, for that matter!)

03. I am thankful for Ugg boots because I don't know what I'd wear from September to May without them.

02. I am thankful for the ability to use language, art, and yoga to express myself instead of the maladaptive ways that I used to use.

01. I am thankful to know that I'm not alone in this life.