Shallow Society

One thing that I realized since starting this blog is that everyone knows that I had an eating disorder. (Obvious statement, right?) Well while out to eat with some friends, I noticed that those that have read my blog or know my situation might be paying extra attention to how I’m handling food. They don’t know how to react or what not to say. I figured I could give my opinion on how others should act around people that are or have suffered with eating disorders. The answer is: act naturally!!

I know it can be awkward but the one thing we want most is for attention not to be brought upon us while we are in those environments. Eating in social situations can be a stressful, high anxiety situation. How can you help make this situation easier on those suffering? There are some topics of conversation that should be strayed away from:

·      Calories

·      Weight

·      Clothing Sizes

·      Working Out

·      Insecurities with your body

·      Amount of food eating

There are more that could be more specific to someone’s eating disorder but these are pretty general topics. Why is it that it is so natural for us to talk about the things we hate about our bodies? Do we really not have anything else to talk about? These things are not important. Something that I feel like people do not recognize anymore is that our self worth is not based on these shallow things. That is what those in recovery are trying so desperately to comprehend. There are so many other things that we could be thinking about and doing.

I feel like I can’t get my point across as well as I would like to. I really just want people to see how serious this is. There is so much pressure on us to look a certain way; where did this even come from??

I was at a work lunch with a group of all girls. The other girls started talking about how “big” they have gotten, how they need to start not eating fattening foods, the diet supplements they’re taking, and working out. I hated hearing them talk about how they were disgusted with their bodies. They then began to say, “Karissa, you’re lucky you don’t have to worry about this stuff.” All I could think was how they had no idea. I have been overly worried about this for the past 8 years of my life.  These girls I work with are not bad people, but they see these insecurities as weaknesses.

One thing I have learned in my recovery is: I AM NOT MY BODY. Those days when I feel “fat” does not mean I am a bad person that day or that my self worth is less. I am beautiful, not because of the size pants I wear or the number on the scale. My beauty does not change if my size changes. Size does not matter. I love my body—some days more than others. I’m not perfect but I’m working on it and I do believe everything I have said. You are not your body, it does not define you.

Well that’s my soap box for the day. Love yourself. :)