Mindful Writing for Eating Disorder Recovery

Mindfulness is a practice that is used in many mental health situations, including people 
with eating disorders. When you are more mindful, you are living in the moment and 
only focusing on what is going on right now. You are not dwelling on the past or 
worrying about the future. Mindful writing can be used with your journal and help with 
your eating disorder.

Describing What is Going on Right Now

Mindfulness is all about living in the moment, no matter what you are doing or thinking. 
It is where you let go of worries about things that should not concern you. You are 
appreciating what is happening right now. When you are using mindfulness in writing in 
your journal for eating disorder recovery, talk about whatever you feel now. Don’t write 
about what happened yesterday or worries for next week. Just describe your current 
state of affairs, being completely honest with yourself about how you feel. Be optimistic 
in your writing, even if you don’t feel your best or feel like you are struggling. This helps 
a lot with mindfulness.

Focus on the Positive Only

Remember mindfulness writing isn’t just writing every single thought or feeling you have 
like regular journaling, but focusing on the positive aspects. Try to push the negative 
thoughts aside, and find those positive or uplifting thoughts you have right now. Instead 
of dwelling on cravings you are trying to avoid or the urge to purge, instead focus on 
something good that happened to you, or show pride that you are choosing to journal 
instead of give in to those urges. This is an accomplishment, even if it feels like a small 
and painful one to you right now. Every moment should be celebrated.

Don’t Stress About the Past or Future

It is also important that you not talk about the past or future when doing mindful writing. 
It is meant to help you concentrate on focus just on what is going on right now. This part 
of your journal should not talk about your concerns about something coming up, or what 
has gone on in the past. Keep those thoughts and feelings for other parts of your 
journal. Think of mindfulness as a type of meditation, where you are trying to focus on 
just one thing, one moment. Embrace this when you are trying out mindful writing for 
eating disorder recovery.


