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It seems like every news channel and social media outlet is talking about New Year's resolutions or a word for the upcoming year. Since I have never been much of a resolutions person (not knocking it, it's just not for me), I decided to choose a word for 2022.
Hope: to want something to happen or be true and think that it could happen or be true.
This is the essential meaning of hope according to Merrriam-Webster. I can't even write the definition without smiling as big as my face will allow. This word has three meanings for me that occupies the past, present and future of Restore Ease Dietetics.
Past: In the beginning days of 2021, exactly one year ago, Restore Ease Dietetics was an idea. An idea that I was working towards becoming what it is today, a growing virtual nutrition private practice. I wanted more flexibility in my work day. To be home when my boys were off school and to work while my youngest was napping. I wanted to help a population that I knew needed support in my community. My very first encounter with an eating disorder patient was on a Saturday in the 2010-somethings while I worked as a clinical dietitian in my hometown of Marquette, Michigan. I was the first person this patient had told that they had an eating disorder. I remember feeling happy that she had trusted me with this information and was heartbroken to hear the closest treatment was over 3 hours away from home. When I began thinking of starting Restore Ease Dietetics, eating disorder treatment has always been a focus that I hoped my business would serve.
Present: When I look back at 2021 and how Restore Ease Dietetics has evolved. I am blown away! I almost can't believe it. But before you get the wrong idea, it's not in the "I have no idea how this happened?" kind of can't believe it. It's the "I can't believe all my hard work has paid off!" It's the "I can't believe I have the privilege to serve these clients and support their caregivers & providers through eating disorder recovery." It's the "I can't believe my business is everything I hoped it would be and then some." We did a lot of exciting things in 2021 as a new business and some really boring things (like Quickbooks). But as I finished the year, a very obvious pattern evolved in the clients that we serve.
Future: I am happy to announce that the hope for Restore Ease Dietetics will be to support adolescents & young adults with eating disorders and their caregivers. We will continue to be involved in education opportunities that allow us to prevent children, adolescents and young adults from starting restrictive diets that may lead to disordered eating or an eating disorder. We aim to bring hope to our clients so that they can live a life free of food rules, to offer support to their caregivers as their loved one navigate eating disorder recovery and to serve as a resource to other members of the healthcare team about the warning signs & treatment of eating disorders.
Did you pick a word for the New Year? I would love to hear it! Email me at dawn@restoreeasedietetics.com with your word and what you hope it brings in the New Year.
Here's to hope in 2022!