So, as you may or may not know, this past week was eating disorders awareness week. I knew I wanted to say something to raise awareness, but I wasn’t really sure what….until I remembered a photograph my sister, Taylor, shot of me. Side note: My sister is a great photographer, and she writes a super inspiring blog! Check her work out here!
Taylor took this picture of me about 5 months ago. My hair was so short!
This picture represents my struggle with food. The colors are stark. The only things in the picture are me and an apple. The lack of other items portrays what an eating disorder really feels like. It is complete obsession with food or a lack thereof. However, eating disorders aren’t really about the food or the weight. The focus on food and weight is merely a symptom of a deeper internal struggle. In this photograph, I am curled up like a child in the fetal position. This pose is reflective of the lack of control I felt in my life and my desire to remain a child.
Besides the fact that I think this picture is representative of my eating disorder, it also shows my body. Unlike magazine cover girls, I have tan lines and fleshy bits. But that doesn’t make me any less beautiful. My body is not an object. It is much more than that in that it enables me to do the things I love every day. I can run, and jump, and sing, (and sit through boring lectures taking notes until my hand is numb), all thanks to my body. And for all those things, I am thankful.
Love yourself, love your body, and love the people around you.
XOXO,
Jamie
I LOVE this post! Probably my favorite post so far (and not just because I got a shout out hehe ;P ). I love you!!!<3
I stumbled across your blog the other day and have read through it all. It’s so inspiring and courageous. I’m on a similar road to recovery from anorexia and am SO much better and have wanted to start a blog or a while but wasn’t sure how it would be received, but yours is proof of how helpful and inspiring it can be:) Keep up the amazing work x
Oh my gosh thank you so much! The blogging community is so great. You should definitely start a blog if you’re considering it!
I definitely will, and will carry on following your blog and being inspired:) xx
you’re very brave
I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen my torso. I’ve avoided mirrors when changing or showering because I really can’t bear to look at it. I don’t know what I’m afraid of… all I know is that I am afraid. Recovery is so difficult and more often than not I don’t know where I am with that :/ However, I am trying. I just hope I make it through.
You can! If you ever want to talk I’m here for you. Email me at jamie.elchert@gmail.com
It’s sometimes really hard to love ourselves just for who and what we are. We says things to ourselves, some very cruel if you think about it, things we would never say to our friends because it’s just that harsh. I do this pretty often but don’t really notice. Thanks for sharing this post, Jamie! I think I needed this reminder that it’s ok to be who I am and I can just be happy and grateful for the present moment
This is what beauty looks like. Not a perfect body, but being able to look at your body, find it beautiful, even with all its flaws. because honestly, bodies are beautiful because of what they give us!
Your photograph really does capture the isolation and obsession elements of an eating disorder. Although we walk around in the haze of the eating disorder, we might as well just be curled up, because everything is restricted to the point of being completely alone.
Your blog always cheers me. I’m working to love myself as well and hope that someday i can feel confident enough to take a photograph like this one. I hope you look at it often when you need reminders of how you are always going to be fine just how you are
Thank you so so so much. My eyes are tearing up because I’m just so happy that you connected with the photograph, and also because of your wonderful compliments. <3
Simply elegant. Thank you, Jamie, and I congratulate your bravery in putting up this picture as I know in some part of your mind you were hesitant to share it with us. Courage, dear girl, is what you possess and radiate. Thanks for sharing. I hope to, one day, have the same outlook on life as you. It’s a journey and a process but the freedom is much worth the pursuit. Remember that even as you blog positively. Recovery has hard days and set backs but keep your eyes fixed ahead. Keep the faith, keep the strength. Courage.
Thanks so much <3
You are so gorgeous and this photo is absolutely stunning! I too am recovering from an eating disorder and it’s wonderful to find others who are blogging about it. I think you have a beautiful body and I admire you so much for posting a picture of a healthy, beautiful person in recovery. All the best to you and I look forward to following your blog!
That’s a stunning picture! (You’re sister is talented!) and I can totally see what you mean about feeling alone and obsessed with food (or lack thereof) Great representation for ED Awareness!
Wow. I had the biggest aha moment when you said the part about your desire to remain a child. I’ve never thought that my struggles with food could be at all related. And I can now see how this may have manifested in other aspects of my life. Thanks and good luck!