Welcome to the Body Compassion Blog!

Trigger warning: This post includes content related to eating disorders, self-harm, and sexual assault. If you are struggling with an eating disorder, please reach out to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Helpline: (800) 931-2237. If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, please call 911 or reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (1-800) 273-8255. If you are a survivor of sexual assault, please reach out to the National Sexual Assault Hotline: (1-800) 656-4673.

This post is an introduction to 1) who I am, 2) the topics I will focus on in this blog, 3) the intended audience for this blog, and 4) who I am not.

I am…

In recovery from mental illness and ineffective coping mechanisms including…

An Eating Disorder

I have struggled with anorexia nervosa (food restriction and compulsive over-exercising) since 2012. I have been to residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient treatment, and I am finally at a point in my life where I truly believe full recovery is possible.

PTSD

In 2014, a man with whom I was in an intimate relationship sexually assaulted me. After I ended the relationship, he stalked me for over a year. As a result, I have struggled with intense anxiety and fear, panic attacks, and nightmares.

Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior/Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder including …

Self-Harm – In high school, it often felt like the only way to cope with life was through self-harm and…

Trichotillomania – After promising my family that I would not cut anymore, my body-focused repetitive behavior quickly became centered on pulling out my hair – a far harder habit for me to break.

Perfectionism

Managing mental illness including anxiety and depression.

On a journey of intuitive eating, body acceptance, self-compassion, and personal growth.

A lover of experiencing the outdoors in my body.

Soon to be an aunt to three lovely babies for whom I want to be a compassionate, body-positive role model.

A mom to a lab-shepherd puppy with severe anxiety and minor mobility challenges.

A woman with many inherent privileges: white privilege, thin privilege, and able-bodied privilege, among others.

This blog is intended to… 

Share my personal recovery journey in hopes of inspiring recovery among others;

Promote intuitive eating, anti-diets, body positivity, body acceptance, fat acceptance, and the Health at Every Size movements;

Raise awareness about body politics and body diversity;

Spread feminist messages; and

Inspire self-compassion and compassion toward others.

This blog is for…

People who are interested in hearing about my personal perspectives and experiences;

The body positive, fat acceptance, anti-diet, and feminist communities;

People in recovery from mental illness, dieting, low self-esteem, or poor body image who are looking for a community during their recovery; and

People who are supporting those in recovery from food, body, and self-esteem issues.

Note: This blog is not for people currently suffering from severely restrictive eating disorders or thoughts of suicide. If either of those describes you, please seek professional help.

I am not…

A mental health care provider;

A medical health care provider;

A therapist;

A nutritionist or a dietician; or

Qualified to treat eating disorders or other mental or physical health conditions.

Again, do not try to use this blog as a substitute for professional help.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post. I sincerely look forward to sharing this new blogging journey with you.

What topics do you hope that I cover in my blog that I have not covered above?