The Strength I Never Knew I Had by Chloe

The Strength I Never Knew I Had by Chloe - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

Anorexia Nervosa is the world's deadliest mental illness and somehow, I am a survivor. Throughout my high school years, I struggled with severe Anorexia and despite the challenges I have faced, this is the thing that has influenced my personal growth the most thus far. Fighting for recovery has not been easy, and though I am still in the process, I have uncovered a strength within myself that I never knew I had.
After battling against my mind independently for quite some time, I decided that it was time to get help. I was hopeless and a shell of the person that I am today. I had trouble making this decision on my own, and it was my family that pushed me to get help for myself. I am forever grateful to them for this. Had I not received the help, I would not have learned how strong I actually am. Two days after my high school graduation, I was in the car, on my way to an Eating Disorder residential program about two hours away from my home. This was the place where I spent my summer vacation. Although I hated it at first and missed my family and friends dearly, I realized that the only way to get back to them was to put in hard work and extra effort. So I did just that. I felt like someone had lit a fire beneath me; the determination that I experienced was unlike any that I had ever felt before. I was challenging myself in ways that I never thought would be possible and I learned ways to disagree with and disobey my Eating Disorder. I was forced to face my biggest fear when we had to sit down at the table and eat six meals a day. Yet somehow, I did it. In all honesty, the residential program saved my life.
People often say that recovery isn’t linear, and they are correct. There have been many ups and downs throughout my journey: wins, setbacks, tears and joy. However, all of it has been worth it. Although I am still not fully recovered, I am proud of myself for all of the progress that I have made so far. I feel as if I have grown as a person over the course of the past seven months. The residential program wasn’t easy but I made some very strong bonds while there and learned how to advocate for myself. I have done things that I never believed that I could do.
After the residential program I stepped down to a Partial Hospitalization Program where I continued to make strides against my Eating Disorder. While I was there, I made a recovery checklist of all of the things that I wanted to accomplish throughout the rest of my time in treatment. I have slowly but surely been checking off things that I never thought I would actually be able to do. I have discovered this strength within myself that I can accomplish anything that I put my mind to. Though there are times when I wish it could all just stop, I have to take a step back and see that I am the person who I am today because of all that I have been through and I am determined to keep pushing through until I no longer have to. My struggles with Anorexia have sparked a strength in me that will prepare me for any other challenges in my future.