My question is around how to manage the loneliness/disappointment/sadness around everything being centered around food all the time and being unintentionally excluded. All holiday parties/church functions and even our gift this year at work is a lunch party. I’m honestly so tired of people asking WHY I can’t eat the food and “Well is there anything you can have?” and trying to explain the science behind why I can’t eat literally anything they have and trying to offer up suggestions for something they can bring for me since they won’t stop asking. And then ending up bringing my own food which I eat all the time anyway so it’s not special. And then anyone who doesn’t know asks me all the questions about what I’m eating and why I’m not eating what other people are, and it draws a crowd. The joy of food is honestly gone for me and I immediately get so disheartened every time there’s an event that’s JUST a cookie exchange or potluck with nothing else going on and I feel it’s pointless to even attend. I used to LOVE LOVE LOVE food and sweets and trying different things and indulging when I could. I don’t have time to make all these different/good foods for myself to bring to things to make it special either. It’s a lot for me to emotionally handle and after all these years I almost can’t take it anymore. I don’t know if you have any tips that might help someone else going through this too?

thanks Marla! ❤️