I have a significant anniversary of overcoming an eating disorder and every year I get myself something special around that time. Something different every year. Sometimes it's just a book I'm looking forward to reading, sometimes a piece of jewelry, a nice lunch with a friend, a pedicure and manicure, just something a little more special. I think it helps to remember your big change every year.

I don't know if you can swing it, but I took a NOLS class by myself when I broke up with a long term boyfriend. It was 2 weeks out in the Wyoming wilderness and I met a great group of really cool people. The physical challenges as well as just totally "roughing it" and doing it was amazing. It is a time commitment but maybe something like that on a smaller scale?

How about a sprint triathlon? Less training / time commitment than a marathon. You could even combine it with a trip.

Unrelated: I found your post super inspirational. Thanks, OP!

Krav maga or. Boxing. Every woman should try it! Congrats OP! You. Are. A. Survivor.

Anonymous wrote:Plant a tree.

I was thinking about this, too. Trees are a wonderful symbol of life and growth, especially if you plant one somewhere you can watch it grow over the years.

One idea is to plant a new tree in your yard so you can admire it's growth each year and reflect on your personal year of achievement.

Another idea would be to find a way to plant a tree in a service capacity. Maybe for your local library or elementary school etc. so the whole community can appreciate it.

Plant a tree.

Anonymous wrote:All good ideas! OP here and on another note, maybe I could "prove" to myself my newfound strength by giving back, helping others. So maybe doing something like volunteering at a women's shelter. Help lighten someone else's load.

All good ideas! OP here and on another note, maybe I could "prove" to myself my newfound strength by giving back, helping others. So maybe doing something like volunteering at a women's shelter. Help lighten someone else's load.

Do some kind of race with pledges. That way, you mark the event while helping someone else out! Win-win!

Do you like to bike? In early fall, there is a Century ride on the Eastern Shore. Or you could bike the entire C&O Canal. Kayaking in Maine.

Is there anything on your bucket list? Or something that scares you? Sky diving?

A trip is a good idea. Will definitely consider that. The jewelry is nice, but it's more a challenge I want to have. I was challenged in life, and I guess I want a tangible challenge with a set beginning and end, like a trip by myself, a physical challenge that isn't too daunting or requiring a ton of training (because I'm a FT WOHM so have to be somewhat realistic).

I was thinking maybe doing martial arts lessons and getting to some basic level of achievement there (not a black belt but maybe the first or second belt). Lots of strong women on this board and I figured somebody had done something they could share and inspire me!

If you are thinking of a tangible sign that you can look at, a piece of jewelry.

I'd say a trip. I spent a month alone in Guatemala which was the first time I travelled solo. I loved it and it was a great way to focus on me.

Congrats on making it through to the other side!

Aside from getting a tatoo or running a marathon. I'm looking for a symbol. I went through hellish year and I made it out the other side. On the one hand, there are plenty of symbols of how I made it through and I'm stronger: I took good care of myself and my kids, I paid the mortgage and all the bills, I acted like the mom even though I could have used a lot of mothering myself, I put one foot in front of the other, and so on. That it itself is something I'm proud of.

But I want a symbol, a challenge. I want to hike up a mountain...or something. Any ideas?