6.27.24 The Perspective Shift // If food is your only source of pleasure…

June 27, 2024

Ryann Nicole The Perspective Shift

Hey There, I'm Ryann Nicole.

I’m a recovered binge eater who changed the story from something that happened to me to something that happened for me. Now, I’m a licensed therapist teaching you to do the same.

My mission? To help you ditch food stress and live your life with mental peace and freedom every single day!

The Perspective Shift

Welcome to The Perspective Shift! A weekly newsletter by Ryann Nicole designed to help you see food, your body, and healthy living in a whole new light.

Hi %FIRSTNAME% — I’ve been in Florida for the week at 30A, one of my most favorite spots. Have you been? I went with my family for a little vacation before kicking off the last cohort for the summer of BEU. When I’m at the beach, I love cracking open a good book that I just can’t put down.

[all your recommendations at the bottom of this email] 

Not a self-improvement book, but a book that has no purpose other than pleasure. Which is ironic because there was a long time when I wholeheartedly believed nothing would ever bring me pleasure like food would.

Read a book for pleasure? Psh, no comparison! I would get angry with blogs and books telling me to try to find pleasure outside of food by doing things like reading for fun. 

Well, after a lot of healing work I learned that’s because I wasn’t eating for pleasure; I was eating to be numb — those are two very different things. 

And that got me thinking…

SOMETHING FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT

Binge eating isn’t a lack of willpower, a character defect, or an addiction to food. It’s a maladaptive coping mechanism you’ve latched onto (and I once did too!) as a way to try to give yourself what you need without actually addressing what that need is. 💔

But just like any other form of trying to go around the maze rather than through, avoiding is not the answer, it’s not the solution, and it will never truly make the binges go away. When you binge, you’re giving yourself a little taste of temporary relief, which feels pleasurable, but that’s not because the food itself is actually pleasurable. 

I mean, let’s be honest, do you even taste the food when you binge? I know I didn’t. That’s why activities like reading, walking, or taking a bath, which don’t offer this escape, don’t give the same kind of feeling. They’re not numbing. 

GET HONEST AND REFLECT

What are the underlying needs or emotions you might be trying to avoid or soothe through binge eating, and how might you begin to address them directly instead?

CHALLENGE YOURSELF THIS WEEK

This week pick up a new book purely for enjoyment. Embrace the opportunity to slow down and discover genuine pleasure that isn’t about escaping or numbing.

**Notice what comes up as you slow down. Notice the discomfort. Notice any urges to avoid. Just notice. 

Looking for a recommendation? Keep scrolling for suggestions from your community members.


When you’re finished reflecting on the above, consider sharing your thoughts in the free support group (or Circle if you’re a client of mine)!! This is completely optional but does hold you accountable and adds a powerful layer of connection and encouragement.

Use the template below to post in our group:

💌 JUNE 27TH PERSPECTIVE SHIFT 💌

🧠 SOMETHING FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT: What did this make you think about? Write it here!

🖊 REFLECTIONS: What came up for you as you got honest and reflected?

🎯 CHALLENGING YOURSELF: What book are you choosing to pick up this week?


NEW THIS WEEK

Why Weighing Yourself Fuels Food Obsession

Checking your weight all the time can mess with your head big time – let’s unpack why. 

Zoee Shares Her Story of Recovering From an Eating Disorder

Join me as a past client Zoee (@healingwithzoee) shares her story of recovery. 

3 Things That Will Help You Honor Fullness When There’s Still Food Left

Three tips for you to start implementing today to get better at honoring your fullness. 

Community Responses to “Books You Couldn’t Put Down”

————-

Key:

  • Numbers = how many times recommended
  • highlighted = I’ve read and agree! 
  • *KU = on kindle unlimited 

————-

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas – Fantasy (4)

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins – Thriller *KU 

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys – Historical Fiction

Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters – Fiction (2)

Coming Home by Britney Griner – Biography 

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch – Science Fiction/Thriller (2) 

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross – Fantasy *KU

Finlay Donovan Series by Elle Cosimano – Mystery/Thriller *KU

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros – Fantasy

Funny Story by Emily Henry – Romance

Gild Series by Raven Kennedy – Fantasy *KU

Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton – Dark Romance/Thriller *KU

Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center – Romance

Happy Place by Emily Henry – Romance

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano – Literary Fiction

Home Front by Kristin Hannah – Fiction *KU

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi – Historical Fiction

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle – Romance

Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica – Thriller *KU

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren – Romance

Mixed Signals by BK Borison – Romance

None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell – Thriller

Once Upon a Broken Heart Series by Stephanie Garber – Fantasy

Red Rising by Pierce Brown – Science Fiction

Tell No One by Harlan Coben – Thriller

The Bergman Brothers Series by Chloe Liese – Romance

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks – Romance

The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez – Romance *KU

The Good Samaritan by John Marrs – Thriller (2) *KU

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah – Historical Fiction

The Guest List by Lucy Foley – Mystery/Thriller

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden – Thriller *KU

The Inmate by Freida McFadden – Thriller *KU

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab – Fantasy

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson – Fantasy *KU

The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan – Historical Fiction *KU

The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead – Thriller

The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner – Historical Fiction

The Many Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki – Biography

The Measure by Nikki Erlick – Science Fiction

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig – Science Fiction/Fantasy

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah – Historical Fiction

The Outside Boy by Jeanine Cummins – Historical Fiction

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by TJR – Historical Fiction

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides – Psychological Thriller (3) *KU

The Things We Do for Love by Kristin Hannah – Romance

The Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas – Fantasy (3)

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett – Historical Fiction

The Wake Trilogy by Lisa McMann – Fantasy

The Whispers by Ashley Audrain – Psychological Thriller

The Women by Kristin Hannah – Historical Fiction (5)

They Never Learn by Layne Fargo – Thriller *KU

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz – Thriller

Untamed by Glennon Doyle – Memoir

Zodiac Academy by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti – Fantasy


See ya next week!

xx, Ryann Nicole
Licensed Therapist (LPC), Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Certified Nutritionist

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Ryann Nicole

Licensed Therapist, Certified Nutritionist, and Virtual Wellness Coach

Ryann is a licensed therapist and virtual wellness coach who has assisted individuals worldwide in establishing a healthier relationship with food and their bodies.

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Ryann is a licensed therapist and virtual wellness coach who has assisted individuals worldwide in establishing a healthier relationship with food and their bodies.