Last week I resigned as a Beat Young Ambassador and I feel much better for having done so.
Although I am still dedicated to raising awareness for eating disorders and helping others, anorexia is not who I am anymore. I don't want to be defined by people as a recovered anorexic, I want to be seen as me, Rachel. :)
I am still volunteering for Beat and doing media requests. I am still My Personal Best full time volunteer and co-manager of twitter because this isnt focused on eating disorders. If you havent seen this yet go to @MyPersonal_Best I'm tweeting inspirational stuff all the time!
Being a Beat ambassador used to make me feel positive; it helped me with recovery as I was making something good out of something bad. Also most of the ambassadors were recovered and they inspired me; they gave me hope.
Now being a Beat ambassador makes me feel bad about myself. Most of the ambassadors today are not recovered, making me the minority. I feel like I cant have a bad time as I need to be an inspiration to them. And although I am perfectly happy with my body - I love my curves and everything! - when I was at meetings I felt like the 'biggest'. I'm not sure why; I guess it just makes me go in that competitive eating disorder thinking.
Also after never fitting in at school, college, university or jobs, I started to feel like I didnt fit in with the ambassadors either and I knew it was time to distance myself from it.
So there we go :)
Sorry I have been quiet lately; had a lot to deal with.
But I am no longer a recovered anorexic now I have two other things to stop being associated with:
I dont want to be the girl who wishes her ex wants her, who feels lonely, sad and ugly because he doesnt want her or the girl who compares herself to other girls. I have started my actions for this including reading the list of bad things to my friend. Her reaction to it made me realise I cant go on like this.
And secondly? I dont want to be associated with my home town and I am doing more activities outside it, including looking for jobs elsewhere! :)
Wish me luck :)
Showing posts with label positive. Show all posts
Showing posts with label positive. Show all posts
Monday, 9 May 2011
Monday, 3 January 2011
Interview with Operation Beautiful
It's time we stop emulating or striving for a type of perfection that doesn't even exist in the real world. It's OK to look like a human!
This statement by Caitlin, the creator of the site Operation Beautiful, is so true. Society nowadays has made people strive for perfection, especially with our appearances. Caitlin is right: we can just look like ourselves! What is important is loving ourselves for who we are and maintaining our beautiful individuality! If only the media and fashion industry would celebrate this… As a supporter of All Walks I have been interviewing other people who promote healthy body image. Here is my interview with Caitlin: check out her site too! http://operationbeautiful.com
How did you come up with the idea for Operation Beautiful?
I was inspired to start Operation Beautiful after having a really bad day; I wanted to do something small and simple for someone else to make me feel better! I posted my first note in the bathroom of a community college and blogged about it, and the concept went viral.
What has been the response to it?
The site started in June 2009 and I've received over 7,000 notes from all over the world since it started, including notes from Asia, Europe, and Africa. Operation Beautiful involves posting random notes in public places for other people to find. These notes typically encourage a positive body image or outlook and include phrases like "You are beautiful inside and out" or "Scales measure weight, not worth."
What has been the best anonymous note?
My favourite story is Vit's. A teenager in Canada, Vit was in a treatment centre for severe anorexia. Her doctors were concerned that it was going to eventually kill her. She slipped into the bathroom to throw up her lunch and found an Operation Beautiful note on the stall. The simple message - "You are good enough the way you are" - made her pause and reconsider her destructive behaviour. She followed up with me a few months later and said she was out of the hospital and healthier than ever. Vit knew a stranger posted the note, but she felt like the timing was a message from God.
Do you think the media will ever change their attitude towards promoting healthy body image?
I think society needs to ask them to change, and then I hope they will listen to consumers.
What has been your reaction to the increase in pro-Ana and pro-Mia websites?
I think they are horrible, but they are allowed under the First Amendment, I suppose. I wish people would be more responsible with what they write and say on the Internet.
If you could give advice to a young person suffering from bad body image or an eating disorder, what would you say?
Everything you already need is already inside of you, and don't be afraid or ashamed to reach out to an adult for help. Keep reaching out until you get the help you need.
What has been the media’s response to your web site?
They love it. You can see a complete list of the PR the site has gotten here: http://operationbeautiful.com/press/
This statement by Caitlin, the creator of the site Operation Beautiful, is so true. Society nowadays has made people strive for perfection, especially with our appearances. Caitlin is right: we can just look like ourselves! What is important is loving ourselves for who we are and maintaining our beautiful individuality! If only the media and fashion industry would celebrate this… As a supporter of All Walks I have been interviewing other people who promote healthy body image. Here is my interview with Caitlin: check out her site too! http://operationbeautiful.com
How did you come up with the idea for Operation Beautiful?
I was inspired to start Operation Beautiful after having a really bad day; I wanted to do something small and simple for someone else to make me feel better! I posted my first note in the bathroom of a community college and blogged about it, and the concept went viral.
What has been the response to it?
The site started in June 2009 and I've received over 7,000 notes from all over the world since it started, including notes from Asia, Europe, and Africa. Operation Beautiful involves posting random notes in public places for other people to find. These notes typically encourage a positive body image or outlook and include phrases like "You are beautiful inside and out" or "Scales measure weight, not worth."
What has been the best anonymous note?
My favourite story is Vit's. A teenager in Canada, Vit was in a treatment centre for severe anorexia. Her doctors were concerned that it was going to eventually kill her. She slipped into the bathroom to throw up her lunch and found an Operation Beautiful note on the stall. The simple message - "You are good enough the way you are" - made her pause and reconsider her destructive behaviour. She followed up with me a few months later and said she was out of the hospital and healthier than ever. Vit knew a stranger posted the note, but she felt like the timing was a message from God.
Do you think the media will ever change their attitude towards promoting healthy body image?
I think society needs to ask them to change, and then I hope they will listen to consumers.
What has been your reaction to the increase in pro-Ana and pro-Mia websites?
I think they are horrible, but they are allowed under the First Amendment, I suppose. I wish people would be more responsible with what they write and say on the Internet.
If you could give advice to a young person suffering from bad body image or an eating disorder, what would you say?
Everything you already need is already inside of you, and don't be afraid or ashamed to reach out to an adult for help. Keep reaching out until you get the help you need.
What has been the media’s response to your web site?
They love it. You can see a complete list of the PR the site has gotten here: http://operationbeautiful.com/press/
Operation Beautiful
I love Caitlin's website and mission, Operation Beautiful. Her idea is for people to write post it notes with positive quotes etc and put them around in public or on your blog to help others realise their true beauty.
Positive Body Image
I wanted to share some striking photos that promote a healthy body image with you :) It is possible to learn to love the body you are in. Above is the Butterfly Foundation one and this is so true: our beauty is not measured by how much we weigh.
Friday, 17 December 2010
My Life In Australia
This is sort of to remind me that I should be happy in Sydney. Yes I dont quite feel myself here and nor do I have friends of my own except at work but I am working on what I set out to do - gain as much experience as possible and become more confident.
So here it is:
Employed by Momentum Promotions,
Fragrance promoter in Myer,
Beat ambassador (overseas),
Volunteer for The Butterfly Foundation,
Writer for My Personal Best web site,
Writer for All Walks Beyond The Catwalk blog,
Author of Showing Recovery Is Possible and A Geordie Girl In Sydney blogs,
Member of Book Club,
Self-promoter of positive body image on Twitter,
Tourist and holiday Rachel,
Studying a fashion course,
Fashion intern with LGN events,
Had work experience with Marie Claire.
So here it is:
Employed by Momentum Promotions,
Fragrance promoter in Myer,
Beat ambassador (overseas),
Volunteer for The Butterfly Foundation,
Writer for My Personal Best web site,
Writer for All Walks Beyond The Catwalk blog,
Author of Showing Recovery Is Possible and A Geordie Girl In Sydney blogs,
Member of Book Club,
Self-promoter of positive body image on Twitter,
Tourist and holiday Rachel,
Studying a fashion course,
Fashion intern with LGN events,
Had work experience with Marie Claire.
Monday, 9 August 2010
obstacles
Although almost recovered, life seems to like throwing me obstacles. And by that I mean difficult situations that could re-start my anorexia. Luckily now I know anorexia does not give me what I need or want.
Yes life can be hard but by dealing with the obstacles you become a stronger person.
Anorexia gives you a death sentence; recovery gives you opportunities.
Once more I am faced with a problem. A major problem at that. I need to finally get over an ex boyfriend. After two and a half years he has completely knocked my confidence until I don't know who I am anymore. Sound familiar? Yeah he's like anorexia. And I sure as hell managed to beat her! Realising this has made me much more positive that I won't only just find rachel again, I'll be an improved stronger Rachel :)
Yes life can be hard but by dealing with the obstacles you become a stronger person.
Anorexia gives you a death sentence; recovery gives you opportunities.
Once more I am faced with a problem. A major problem at that. I need to finally get over an ex boyfriend. After two and a half years he has completely knocked my confidence until I don't know who I am anymore. Sound familiar? Yeah he's like anorexia. And I sure as hell managed to beat her! Realising this has made me much more positive that I won't only just find rachel again, I'll be an improved stronger Rachel :)
Thursday, 29 July 2010
My response - with quotes from beat ambassadors
Not as good as i would have liked but here it is :)
Hi Natasha
Thanks for you reply. I honestly don't know who I am mad at more: the media or the public. If the readers want pictures of us at our worst, I think it highlights even more that we need to promote awareness and show people that eating disorders are a serious mental health issue and not something to be taken lightly.
I am positive that me and the other 70 young ambassadors do not wish to give out photos ever. I explained to Katie why we do not want to talk about our lowest weight nor give out photos. Showing photos of us at our illest just sensationalises the story and makes out that eating disorders are all about weight. Another reason is these photos can act as triggers to other sufferers: we want to help others not make them feel worse. I would like to include some comments off other ambassadors on this subject:
"
what, so you woul dlie and make up something as serious as an eating disorder if you didnt show photos?! For goodness sake, I don't know if I feel more disheartened by the media response, or the public right now!!! That is about the most ridiculous thing ever..."
"To be honest, I think it's disgusting. If you are a good journalist, you can portray a picture through words, without it being triggering to the reader. Including pictures, I think only makes things worse, and individuals may feel that they 'have to look that thin to have en ED' whereas you can have an eating disorder at any weight - it's classed ... See moreas a psychological problem and weight, I think, is just a physical symptom. I did have an argument with a journalist a few months ago. As I'm a twin, and my twin is also ill, they were very interested in a story, up until the point where I said I will not be giving over any 'unhealthy photos' and surprise surprise, they didn't want to run the story. However, a few weeks later, I worked with a fantastic journalist from my local paper who portrayed my story so well.....with a healthy picture. If they want to use any of us for stories, they need to accept we are not going to hand over our unhealthy pictures. Not only can they be triggering for readers, we don't need reminding of how ill we were - sorry for the rant - us beat girls, we stick together "
"I agree with you all entirely. It really proves that this world we live in is.. well I don't even know how to word it. They are just obsessed with glamouring mental illnesses, especailly when it comes to eating disorders. It does nothing to help us and other people out their struggling. Just because a person may look 'healthy' it doesn't mean they ... See moresuffer any less. Then there's the whole competitive side to eating disorders, seeing who can be the thinnest etc. Showing photos of people when they were ill isn't saying anything. Kerry, like you said 'weight is just the symptom.'
I don't really know what else to say, things really need changing. They are still far too many people who are naive to the illness. It's like my friends and family, they see me now and see me as a healthy, happy 19 year old; Living, laughing, eating. But they don't seem to realise it's not always that simple. Just because I look healthy doesn't mean I suffer any less. Yea I have good days, but I also have bad days and I - and I'm sure you all do at times - have to fight it every day. I may have gone off the subject a little there but it makes me so angry!"
I really hope that you can help us by passing our comments on to the publications you work with so that maybe they may start to do positive recovery stories instead of all this negativity!
Regards
Rachel
Hi Natasha
Thanks for you reply. I honestly don't know who I am mad at more: the media or the public. If the readers want pictures of us at our worst, I think it highlights even more that we need to promote awareness and show people that eating disorders are a serious mental health issue and not something to be taken lightly.
I am positive that me and the other 70 young ambassadors do not wish to give out photos ever. I explained to Katie why we do not want to talk about our lowest weight nor give out photos. Showing photos of us at our illest just sensationalises the story and makes out that eating disorders are all about weight. Another reason is these photos can act as triggers to other sufferers: we want to help others not make them feel worse. I would like to include some comments off other ambassadors on this subject:
"
what, so you woul dlie and make up something as serious as an eating disorder if you didnt show photos?! For goodness sake, I don't know if I feel more disheartened by the media response, or the public right now!!! That is about the most ridiculous thing ever..."
"To be honest, I think it's disgusting. If you are a good journalist, you can portray a picture through words, without it being triggering to the reader. Including pictures, I think only makes things worse, and individuals may feel that they 'have to look that thin to have en ED' whereas you can have an eating disorder at any weight - it's classed ... See moreas a psychological problem and weight, I think, is just a physical symptom. I did have an argument with a journalist a few months ago. As I'm a twin, and my twin is also ill, they were very interested in a story, up until the point where I said I will not be giving over any 'unhealthy photos' and surprise surprise, they didn't want to run the story. However, a few weeks later, I worked with a fantastic journalist from my local paper who portrayed my story so well.....with a healthy picture. If they want to use any of us for stories, they need to accept we are not going to hand over our unhealthy pictures. Not only can they be triggering for readers, we don't need reminding of how ill we were - sorry for the rant - us beat girls, we stick together "
"I agree with you all entirely. It really proves that this world we live in is.. well I don't even know how to word it. They are just obsessed with glamouring mental illnesses, especailly when it comes to eating disorders. It does nothing to help us and other people out their struggling. Just because a person may look 'healthy' it doesn't mean they ... See moresuffer any less. Then there's the whole competitive side to eating disorders, seeing who can be the thinnest etc. Showing photos of people when they were ill isn't saying anything. Kerry, like you said 'weight is just the symptom.'
I don't really know what else to say, things really need changing. They are still far too many people who are naive to the illness. It's like my friends and family, they see me now and see me as a healthy, happy 19 year old; Living, laughing, eating. But they don't seem to realise it's not always that simple. Just because I look healthy doesn't mean I suffer any less. Yea I have good days, but I also have bad days and I - and I'm sure you all do at times - have to fight it every day. I may have gone off the subject a little there but it makes me so angry!"
I really hope that you can help us by passing our comments on to the publications you work with so that maybe they may start to do positive recovery stories instead of all this negativity!
Regards
Rachel
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