I was asked to write a list of forty reasons to recover. Add your own in the comments!

1. To have a healthy body
2. To be able to work through trauma
3. To find out who I really am
4. To be fully present in my life
5. Because I can have fun without drugs
6. To make healthy friendships
7. To honor and glorify God
8. To be a better singer
9. Because there are more things to write about than misery and mental illness
10. To wholeheartedly enjoy my parents’ cooking
11. To not be too wrapped up in myself to care about others
12. To master the art of happy poems
13. To write stories that have no basis in my life
14. To finally go on Jon’s and my road trip
15. To be able to focus in class
16. Because I am outgoing and friendly when I don’t hate myself
17. Because God didn’t make me so I could hate His creation
18. To have enough insight to finish my novel
19. To go back to Eckerd
20. To become an ordained cantor
21. Because I deserve to love myself
22. Because trauma doesn’t define me
23. Because I am strong enough to fight
24. Because I don’t want to die
25. Because I am talented
26. Because life is too short to feel guilty over Mom’s famous chocolate cake
27. To be able to live independently
28. Because the light of God is within me
29. Because I am loved
30. Because I am beautiful as I am
31. Because I need a healthy functioning brain to write well
32. To make my parents proud of me
33. To make decisions I can feel good about
34. Because my weight has nothing to do with my character
35. To experience a range of emotions without fear
36. To be proud of myself
37. Because I’ve wasted enough time being sick, sad, and miserable
38. To be a positive role model
39. Because it’s time to let go
40. Because I’m worth it