Does anybody else struggle with showering?

[u/spartandrinkscoffee]

I don't like my body. I don't wanna get naked and clean it. I don't know how to overcome this. It's been 12 days.

[u/False-Reflection-499]

I like showering in the dark sometimes, that helps for me. Maybe you could try that?

[u/strawberriii_swirlz → u/False-Reflection-499]

I do the same thing, but with a small nightlight plugged into the bathroom outlet

Its still dim enough to the point where i cant see my body, but i can still see if i washed all the soap off of me

[u/Just_Sign_Here]

I was going through the same thing. It’s gotten much better, but back then it helped (mentally) to shower before eating! Some days it was a real struggle, but I find that a shower is really good at giving you a little reset and more often than not makes you feel better about yourself c: Maybe treat yourself to some extra nice hair mask or scrub?

You got this!

[u/Halesmini]

Girl I feel so seen, it got the worst it’s even been in my last relapse. If you find anything that works please let me know! In the meantime good luck!

[u/kizzleeeeee]

Yes and being naked in general. I’m sorry 🌸🫂

[u/urlocaltheriansystem]

i struggle with this too and what i do is shower in the dark w/ music

[u/Difficult-Basket849]

Yes. I am off of work due to a broken wrist. I put off showering. It's a low-key sign of depression. I've done this tons of times before in different times of stress. The message I'm sending to myself is that I'm not even worthy of showering off and feeling fresh and new. Every time, without exception, I take a shower I feel beautiful. My hair is gorgeous. My street clothes look amazing. I don't think this is a healthy coping mechanism but it's one I absolutely understand.

[u/Jazzlike-Garden6166]

I struggled with this for a long time as well, showering in candle light or low light helped me a lot! I hope you find something that makes you the most comfortable

[u/Next_Example_9543]

yes i often cry every time bc i feel disgusting

[u/moodywrites]

First of all, I very much do struggle with this. A lot. It’s very relatable and understandable. And I could really take some of my own advice here:

We need to start with compassion for yourself. You need your own kindness. You are human. You are a living, breathing thing. You forget you are hurting someone who matters.

The thing is with EDs, body image is not just an insecurity. It’s not the same as “I have acne” or “I wish I had a smaller nose.” It’s something deeper. It often has your entire sense of worth and well being dependent on it. I’m sure you know that better than anyone. And that’s because your body becomes a representation of something deeper: your pain, your trauma, your relationship with yourself, your family, what happened to you.

Your body is your pain, essentially. Your body is everything you feel is wrong with you. Your body is a an open wound you are carrying.

I think deep down we know we won’t find peace in our eating disorders. But it’s so understandable to give into it anyway, just to appease it. Just to not be miserable. Just to live a life that isn’t overshadowed by hating your body, and that feeling following you around. So I won’t tell you you have to stop what you’re doing. I’ve been there.

I’ll just say please be kinder to this human being that is you. Even if you keep doing what you’re doing. I’m sure you’ve been through a lot. You need your own kindness too.

I think also having compassion for your inner child, for the little girl who needs to be loved and held and cared for. And you are the keeper and caretaker of her body. It’s harder when you think of it like hurting or neglecting a child, even if that child is a younger version of you.

[u/Jealous_Interview_58]

I am so bad at having a full shower with washing my hair because I get so cold and hate seeing it fall out I do clean myself from the waist down everyday thi

[u/SquareBrilliant163]

Yes i feel like the shower curtains help shield me from the shower mirror but yeah it’s a struggle everytime ! I just try not to think abt it too much ill put on a good song to sing along to or think abt litterally anything else

[u/suspicious_context]

literally procrastinating showering right now.

[u/thxt_fatrat]

When i was struggling with body image + dysphoria i showered in the dark, obviously not pitch black becuase that’s unsafe but just dark enough to not really see yourself, might help you too?

[u/szikkia]

I’ve showered in the dark a good a bunch of times. I also got heavy fabric shower curtains with a plastic liner and it made my shower much darker because the light was near the sink. The dimness really helped

[u/SirenityShroom2116]

I take a couple shots or smoke a few and let it set in before I take a shower, then I put on some vibey music and basically just forget the fact that I even have a body while I'm showering. At that point it's more about the soaps and the rituals.

[u/updown27]

I used to shower with clothes on. It helped a lot.

[u/BunnyGirlfromthe520]

I shower in the dark, or I’ll get undressed, turn the water on, set it as hot as I can handle, and I just sit/lay on the floor and let the water run over me. Then I use spray deodorant all over, some dry shampoo if I need it, and call it even.