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Reannon's avatar

I'm 45 & still trying to untangle all the food, body & diet shit from my head. Just this week my GP suggested that maybe it's time for me to see an eating disorder therapist to help me. Part of me says "No thanks, I don't want to give this stuff anymore of my time" Then there is another part that says "Yes, let's sort this mess out so the second half of my life is not contaminated by all the BS that has plagued my thoughts for the last 30 years". For now, I say , go to the op-shop & buy some new jeans xx

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Kathleen's avatar

Wow. Yes Raennon, it’s the constant back and forth and untangling as you so perfectly put it. 😂 and yes, I’ll definitely be picking up a new pair of jeans.

How are you feeling about it now? Do you think you’ll be going to see someone?

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Reannon's avatar

I think I will. Therapy has been helpful in the past when trying to deal with other things so there’s nothing to suggest why therapy purely focused on my eating disorders wouldn’t be helpful. Plus, I really just want that type of noise to be quiet in my head. I don’t want my first instinct to be “go on a diet. Lose weight. Be skinnier” any time I am unhappy with my body or clothes. I know I don’t have to be my smallest self to be my best self, truly I do, but it’s really hard to shut that part of my brain up.

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Shanna Johnson's avatar

Heavily resonate with this piece and LOVED Kindred! You are in for such a treat with that book, it is truly so modern reading for a novel written in the 70s!

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Kathleen's avatar

Omg Shanna! Thank you so much. I totally agree, it’s ahead of its time. Have you read any other by Octavia?

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Shanna Johnson's avatar

Not yet! But I have Parable of the Sower on my list!

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Soph's avatar

Oh my gosh, I have so much to unpack from this piece. I hugely relate and it's such a shame that we all feel this way about our bodies - I don't know a single woman who doesn't criticise her appearance regularly. It's so, so sad.

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Kathleen's avatar

I feel the same! It’s almost as if I assume we’re all talking about it, but also not? For fear of appearing/sounding obsessive or who knows what. The girlfriends I have that have talked openly about it have expressed similar sentiments. All we want to do is be content with where we’re at without that little voice

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Caroline's avatar

Cheers from one round face to another 🫡

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Amy Aliazzo's avatar

Omg - Hudson with his little crown! ❤ GOD - I relate to this. As for who determines what looks good - I WISH it was just me b/c then I think I'd be ok? But I think the ideas we've been fed play a HUGE part...I remember that Jessica Simpson debacle, and it was/is SO BEYOND INSANE!

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