Beyond The Menu

“The Trance of Repressed Truths” invites readers to explore the quiet, internal battles that arise when we suppress emotions that cause us pain or discomfort. When painful emotions remain unaddressed, we may begin to avoid reality, retreating into our own inner world as a means of coping.

Over time, this persistent avoidance can make it increasingly difficult to engage with the world around us, and the resulting internal imbalance may lead to mental health challenges so significant that our very sense of self becomes shaped—and sometimes overtaken—by the struggle itself.

This poem traces the experience of falling under such a trance and the gradual process of reclaiming one’s true self. It is not a one-time event; rather, it can resurface again and again, particularly in periods of stress or uncertainty.

Reflecting on my own experience with an eating disorder and disordered eating behaviors, I recognize how easily I could be consumed by this trance. My thoughts and actions were often influenced by unaddressed emotions and deeply rooted false beliefs, making it difficult to break free from the cycle of thoughts and behaviors surrounding food and body image.

Reclaiming and transforming my mindset required developing a deeper sense of emotional awareness, which was not something I could achieve alone. Professional support played a crucial role in helping me identify and challenge the patterns that kept me trapped. Through therapy and compassionate guidance, I learned to recognize the signs of the trance, address my emotions with honesty, and gradually rebuild my sense of self.

The following poem is both a reflection of this journey and an invitation to others who may find themselves in similar cycles:

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The Trance of Repressed Truths

A mind guided by its own library of thoughts
can briefly acknowledge the stories of the past—
aware of their emotional strains,
capable of slipping past old controls,
holding a barrier against their silent persuasion
to replay the same destructive cycles.

A trick fallen for once or twice before,
its compulsions mirroring a trance—
its survival dependent on rewriting the mind’s protagonist,
the mind susceptible to its revisions,
by avoiding the meanings of the destructive narratives,
becoming a bystander as prior drafts gather dust.

A mind consumed by the trance of repressed truths
allows its barriers to lower,
convinced by the counter-offers made—
its variety of storylines,
each promising a metaphorical pot of gold,
yet its intent quietly nudges toward
the choice that brings the greatest turmoil.

Its conditioning plants the assumption
that the mind’s ideas are its own,
wrapping its power around rationality once known,
forming the barricade that shadows
the mind’s ability to regain control.

Like a spell to be broken,
to undo such a trance
involves obtaining the strategies 
to rebuild its barriers—
revisiting each plot line,
the questions of who, what, where, when, why,
starting from the moments that led to avoiding a good cry,
dismissing its persistence that it’s here to stay,
through the days and nights,
to find the clarity that was drawn away
and replaced by a false mind.

And as the acquired materials begin to align,
there comes a pivotal morning of wake
where the trance of repressed truths
begins to reveal its lies,
guided by a mind
able to acknowledge its past stories
without surrendering to its emotional ties.

— Beyond the Menu

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Finding the words to describe the experience of losing yourself to mental health struggles—whether it’s an eating disorder or any challenge that leaves you feeling disconnected—can be deeply personal and open to interpretation. This poem is one such interpretation. Poetry became a creative outlet I discovered through therapy, helping me give form to emotions I hadn’t yet found words for.

Whatever your outlet may be—songwriting, storytelling, art, journaling—I encourage you to experiment and lean into it when your thoughts feel heavy or you feel stuck. Through creative expression, it’s often possible to gain enough distance from your struggles to discover a shift in perspective, or even the first step toward healing.

Thank you for taking the time to read my words. If they resonate with your experiences, remember—you’re only human. Taking the time to acknowledge challenging emotions, even just by reading this post, is a sign of strength. I hope these words offer you a virtual hug and the reassurance that you are not alone.

Note: While creative outlets are powerful tools for self-expression and self-regulation, they are not a replacement for professional help if you are experiencing severe challenges that impact your daily life and well-being. The strategies shared here are meant to complement, not substitute, the guidance and care provided by mental health professionals. Every individual’s journey is unique, and support should be tailored to reflect that, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. Creative expression can illuminate the path, but compassionate, individualized care is essential for lasting transformation.