02/14/2026
Great job!
Yesterday we had a big Super Bowl party and celebrated Dad’s birthday.
There were a lot of people, a lot of noise, lots of different foods, strong smells, and constant movement.
For many people, that’s just a fun party.
For someone with ARFID, that kind of environment can be incredibly overwhelming.
In the past, Hannah would often avoid situations like this altogether. The noise, the smells, watching people eat unfamiliar foods, and the pressure of being around meals all at once could be too much for her nervous system, so stepping away felt safer.
But yesterday, something really special happened.
She didn’t just tolerate being there.
She participated. She stayed in the space. She sat with everyone while food was being made and eaten. And then, on her own, she asked for a quesadilla.
That might sound small to someone who hasn’t lived this, but it’s huge.
This wasn’t about the quesadilla itself.
It was about regulation, safety, and capacity.
Being able to eat in a loud, unpredictable environment means her body felt safe enough to try. It means her nervous system wasn’t in fight-or-flight. It means the work she’s been doing over time is slowly expanding what feels possible.
Progress with ARFID often doesn’t look like trying new foods. Sometimes it looks like staying in the room. Sometimes it looks like not avoiding the situation anymore.
Sometimes it looks like asking for something familiar in a really unfamiliar setting.
This is what freedom looks like. It’s the ability to participate in life without food anxiety deciding where you can go, who you can be with, or what moments you miss.
Yesterday wasn’t just a win.
It was a glimpse of what’s possible, and why we continue to work so hard. 💜
