From Michele:
Scrolling through Pinterest and found this gem, “the comeback is always stronger than the setback.” And I had to share it. Why? Because life hits us hard. Sometimes we wonder whether our lives will get better or how to move on. And when that feeling hits, I hope you remember that the comeback is stronger than the setback. Yes… you may fall down, but you may also get yourself right back up. Every single time you fall, you get stronger. I promise. Don’t give up.
On that note, today we are sharing an amazing story about resiliency. Shane is a survivor and she is a fighter. She has struggled with struggle-anorexia, anxiety, depression, and more. And yet, you have to see her now. She’s one that refused to fall down and stay down, she fought and she got back up. So read below!
I wanted to share a bit of my story which shaped the person I am today – to inspire hope in those out there struggling.
My battle with anorexia began in middle school, so 10 years of my adolescence were riddled with fear, anxiety, depression and self doubt. I was the ultimate perfectionist, always striving for more than straight A+’s, top of my tennis team, and just average. I never felt good enough.
Anorexia consumed me.
I deserted myself and had very few friends. I was selfish and only focused my energy on every little morsel that went into my body. I became so weak – dropping from 140 to 90 lbs in a matter of months, tiny on my 5’8 frame.
Just Look…
I didn’t want help. I wouldn’t admit my struggle to others, let alone myself – for over 8 years.
So do we need awareness?
There exists a stigma around eating disorders, as many fail to accept them as mental illnesses. So many suffer in silence because they don’t “look” sick.
A common misconception is that anorexia has to do with vanity and the desire to be thin.
When in reality, my life seemed so out of control, the one thing I could choose was what was going into my body. And did you know that anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness?
That could’ve been me.
I am 2.5 years “recovered” but use that term loosely. I hardly ate for 2 weeks post-breakup because I felt so out of control of the situation. But each “relapse” gets shorter and far between as I bounce back harder.
Do I look away and regret those years? Absolutely not. I’m an all around stronger, more resilient woman because of my struggles. This will be a lifelong battle. But one I’m willing to fight until the very end.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help or a listening ear from someone who understands.
Connect With Her:
Instagram:instagram.com/614gal