To school, or not to school, that is the question.

AUTHOR - Victoria Freeman [MSW, RSW]

​In all of my work, the only thing that has ever remained constant is that everything is always changing. Changes and transitions are the hallmark moments in our lives - the times when we move from point A to point B, when we grow, when our path forks.  It can be exciting and it can be terrifying.  Sometimes it can be so overwhelming that we get paralyzed and stop the process of change and growth all together. 

I often find myself enticed by the relief that comes with doing nothing at all in the face of massive transition - and - if you know me, you'll know that in those moments, I pull a classic Wayne Gretzky - Michael Scott out of the bag.  We forget this sometimes, but no decision is actually still a decision. It's a decision to stay exactly the same as you are now. When we do that, we miss out on 'taking the shot' and feeling like we were effective in life. By making no decision, we run the risk of feeling like life is just happening to​us, and passing us by.

One major transition that faces my clients who have experienced eating disorders, is the decision to go or return to school, whether it be college, university, or something else all together.  It often means a change in location, living situation, finances, stress-level, work-load, eating patterns, sleep patterns....you name it, school changes it.   And to top it all off, if you've had to take a break from school or work to manage your eating disorder - it can be so hard to avoid comparisons between your path and the path your friends or family might be on. 

If you're struggling with the decision to go to school, or to go to treatment, or to take more time to heal - I want you to know that it's OK! Take a deep breath, and we can think through it together.  In 2018, I worked on an article/workbook for the Gurze Eating Disorders Catalogue.  The purpose was to help individuals in recovery figure out if school is the right next step for them. I hope it helps - and let me know what you think!
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Download the free workbook HERE. 

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