Two years ago today, I landed in Chicago for a 3 month trip.

The plan was to do IOP eatingrecovery and trauma therapy.
And then go back to Israel and resume the life I had built there.

And wow has so much changed.
I’m back in school.
I have 2 more years sobriety.
I haven’t been treatment in almost 2 years.
Im still seeing the same therapist.

And slowly but surely, this city has taken over a large piece of my heart.
I have built friendships.
I have created a chosen family.
I have learned my way around.
I have my own space to live.
(Shoutout to everyone that let me stay on their couch for the first few months 😅😅).

I believed for a very long time that I couldn’t live in America again.
That I wouldn’t be able to go back to school.
That I wouldn’t be able to stay sober.

But here I am.
Living here.
And maybe even… thriving.

So.
Happy 2 years from the day I recommitted to myself and my recovery.
And Happy 2 years Chicago.
I guess we can be friends.

(Also enjoy this photo from before it was absolutely freezing) ...

Hello there friends!

There’s a bunch of new people here after thecrankytherapist tagged me in a meme yesterday.

So it seems like a good time for an introduction!

My name is Barbara and I’m a 25 year old living in Chicago.
I’m currently studying Secondary education at depaulu after taking time off.

I got sober at 21.
Im in ED recovery.
And therapy is one of my favorite things.

But more importantly:
- I am SO proudly Jewish
- I hold Israeli citizenship and love it with my whole heart
- I post a lot of awkward selfies
- my people are everything to me
- I could eat pasta every day and be perfectly content

This account is my home.
I’ve built it.
And I maintain it.

With that said:
- welcome!
- you can rest here.
- your whole self can breathe here.
- but your antisemitism needs to be left at the door. ...