I asked my Instagram followers what questions they had for me, and now I’m answering them (because that’s how a Q&A works).

What are your plans for college? What schools are you interested in?

I’ll be moving half-way across the country to attend a small Christian college next year; I’m pretty stoked about it! I looked at both Ole Miss and Baylor University, but ultimately felt called to the small school.

What helped you most in your recovery?

Other than God, being held accountable by others even though I fought it tooth and nail. It essentially forced me to take steps in the right direction, and in-time I learned to walk on my own.

What’s your favorite quote?

Ahhh, so many good choices! Maybe:

“Though she be but little, she be fierce.” – Shakespeare

Or, “If you are not obsessed with the life you are living. Change it.”

Any advice you can give to someone who is trying really hard in recovery but is afraid to take that “next next” step?

Just do it. It doesn’t get any less daunting the longer you wait. You just have to take the plunge. That’s not very helpful, I know, but that’s what I’ve learned through experience.

What’s your favorite song lyric?

Again with the favorites, again I say: SO many good choices! I simply cannot pick a favorite, but the first one coming to mind is: “Halleluiah, waves crash over me. Still I will sing halleluiah, halleluiah” in Davis the Band’s song Victory. The harmony at that part is just beautiful.

What are some coping mechanisms that you have used through difficult times?

Taking time to do some deep breathing, blogging and journaling, reaching out to a trusted friend, picking up an instrument

What is your spirit animal and why?

I totally didn’t know what to say, so I took a quiz online and here’s what it said:

If you could go back to the beginning of your recovery journey, what advice would you give yourself?

Just keep going, and trust people when they say it’s worth it. You are not an exception to that; it actually will be worth it.

What is your favorite color?

Lime green.  Lime green things make me happy.

What are your dreams and ambitions?

College, graduate school, license to practice as a therapist, marriage, motherhood, adopt, mission work in Africa, travel the world, and I’m sure I’m missing a thing or two!

How did you get the courage to bring up your ED to your parents/therapist?

I really got to a point of fear that someone else would tell them if I didn’t, and I suppose a part of me knew that I could not continue down the road I was walking. I found it easiest to write letters. When I went into my first appointment with my therapist, she already knew the basis of what had been going on. I ended up having a pretty instant connection with her; we’ve worked well together from day one (I have been very fortunate)!

What are your favorite books?

Cliché, but Harry Potter and The Hunger Games are both excellent series I’d highly recommend. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is great. I’m currently really enjoying Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman and Awakening Sun by Kristen Hogrefe.

What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?

Probably something done while traveling. Like going to Canada after not making it to Minnesota, or going to Alaska for twenty-four hours, or maybe sprinting uphill for a good seven minutes straight (not a runner people, not a runner) with a backpack on that was bouncing all over the place to catch a train in Boston. We somehow made it with two minutes to spare. We also ran past a fire station at which some of the firefighters were dumping water from the second story window onto some others down below. ALC ice bucket challenge fire station style anyone?

Where do you believe you stand with separating yourself from your eating disorder?

I feel pretty darn separated; I’d say the last strings have been severed, and it’s about time too.

Favorite Bible verse?

Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. – 1 Timothy 4:12

What are your favorite things to have for breakfast?

I’m a Shakeology convert. I used to not really care for it, but now I do happy dances when our next bag arrives on our door step. I love, love starting my day off with a scoop of chocolate Shakeology + a cup of almond milk + however much peanut butter suites my liking on the given day + thirteen to fifteen ice cubes all blended up.

There are days when I’m not feeling the shake though, and actually bother to whip something up. Brown Sugar oatmeal made on the stove top is nice on cold days. Quick cooking oats + water + more light brown sugar than one should probably have in the morning, but whatevers (aka: like three tablespoons) + banana slices on top.

Scrambled eggs + toast or a bagel (sometimes I add cheese, sometimes I don’t) + whatever fruit we’ve got that’s fresh + a glass of milk  used to be my daily staple until I got a little burned out on it. It’ll cycle back around soon enough though.

I haven’t gotten into the overnight oats movement, but I do intend to try them out one day. If anyone is an overnight oats lover, drop me a comment with your favorite recipe!

What are your favorite Ben and Jerry’s flavors?

S’mores, Peanut Butter World, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Half Baked, Peanut Butter Half Baked, Chocolate Therapy, Milk & Cookies

If you can’t tell, I really like my chocolate.