Anyone who struggles with body image knows the struggle of the holidays- specifically the abundance of holiday treats. Here we are, minding our own business at the Christmas party at Grandma's, and suddenly there they are- those fresh baked Christmas cookies, straight out of the oven. Their decadent scent fills the room- calling you. “Eat me”, it cries. And suddenly you are torn. The cookies are calling you, and you want to give in and eat them, but you know once you do the self shame and hatred will kick in.

This holiday season- screw self hatred. I know it is easier said than done, but it is time to end the negative associations people have with the holidays because of the guilt, temptation, and self hatred they feel when eating the food that accompanies the endless holiday celebrations. The holidays are meant to be a happy time, full of joy and love and giving. So feel some joy. Love yourself. Give yourself the gift of freedom from self hatred.

The reason food is such a problem over the holidays is because it can be a trigger for negative emotions and associations for so many people, and the holidays all seem to revolve around them. To stop this cycle, I am ending this association for myself. Don’t get me wrong, I still plan on eating all the food- but I’m not going to let it be the focus of my holidays. Instead of focusing on the dessert table at Grandma’s house on Christmas eve, I am going to focus on my family, and spending time with them. When thinking about the holidays, to me- what truly matters is celebrating and spending time with friends and family. Food has only become a focus because I have let it. I need to remember what truly matters over the holidays.

Now, of course, focusing on my family will not stop me from single handedly eating the entire batch of chocolate chip cookies I bake, and it will not stop me from beating myself up over it. But I need to remember that giving into the holiday treats once a year does not define who I am as a person or my actions year round. Depriving myself of everything will only make me miserable and increase my chances of overindulging when I fall victim to my feelings. Instead- I choose to eat the cookie, enjoy it with my friends and family, and not let consuming it consume my whole holidays.

My advice to others is to go into the holidays prepared. Remember- you will be surrounded by delicious baked goodness, and it is okay to indulge. Have a plan in mind to keep yourself in check, and even if you overindulge remember that it is okay. Despite the proper saying, you are what you eat- you are not what you eat. You are a person who is so much more than that delicious baked good. So this holiday, eat the cookie. Enjoy the cookie. And don’t let the cookie ruin your day.