I lay awake while the world was asleep
My alarm went off but I felt too weak
My soul was too heavy for my feet
I truly believed that I had been beat
But then I realised it was time
To open my eyes and come alive
I stopped looking at the ground
Instead I reached for the clouds
I told myself I’m not going to let life pass me by
Even though it was hard I decided to try
I had lost my faith in a world I thought was cursed
I had cried so hard it began to hurt
It was time to stand up and fight
It was time to begin to make things right
So I looked to the sky, told myself you only get one life
You really need to try
I thought I’d never make it through
When I had no hope to hold on to
But then I found all of you
I found hope in my heart and a light to life
My way out the dark
You helped me survive the darkest hour
You helped keep me alive
I picked myself back up and held my head up high
I whispered to myself you were not built to break
I’m going to give this all it takes
Along the way I crashed down and I tumbled
But I never allowed myself to crumble
You helped me get through all the pain
Little did I know I had so much to gain
So many times I wondered how I would get through the night
But my faith kept me alive and my hope shining bright
As I opened my eyes I began to cry
I said hello world, how have you been
Good to see you, this almost feels likes a dream
Sometimes I felt cold as steel
Broken like I would never heal
But a little light, a little hope
Made me realise that I could cope
A little grace, a little faith unfurled
I had forgotten how to live in this beautiful world
I had forgotten what living was for
I would hear my life pass me by through my front door
But as the empty disappeared
I started to remember why I am here
I surrendered and believed
I picked myself up from my knees
And as I choke back tears today
I can’t even begin to say
How much you have helped shape this girl
Gave me the hope to believe I could conquer the world
You give the strength to me, a strength I never had
I was a mess you see, I had lost my way so bad
But you dragged me up and out
Even when all I had doubt
Together, we have seen it all,
Triumphs and laughter to tears and falls
We dared to light each others paths
Then found the beauty in the aftermath
You must know I have always thought,
Without you all I could not have fought
I want you all to know you mean the world to me,
You really helped to set my soul free
Even though things will change,
The relationships we have formed will remain the same
I know our hearts will be joined until,
The end of forever,
Until time stands still
Anonymous – Young woman reflecting on her recovery from an eating disorder. And speaking to the group/therapist she has valued as a part of this recovery.