There is no other writer and human on all of Substack who is so attuned to my own soul, Allison. I have been so consumed by thinking about weight and diets and body acceptance in the last several weeks, actually months, and today is the day I am going to try to put all of these thoughts down on the page/screen and try to make some sense of it that might be helpful to others and share next week.
And there you are, on exactly the same page. Incredible soul symmetry again, my friend. Thank you for your own honest and vulnerable reflections (you offer nothing less, week after week) and for the Four to Follow. I know and subscribe to Ashley but don't visit often enough and look forward to reading her essay, the same for Dana, she's incredible and I look forward to reading her 3-part essay. Danielle and Tracie are new to me and I look forward to reading them.
To your list, I would add one more, Kristi Koeter of Almost Sated. She's a sane, searching, honest voice in our disordered eating and body image world, for whom intuitive eating and body acceptance--an ongoing work in progress--has helped her and inspires me.
Synchronous soul symmetry - that seems to be a trend with you and I! Attuned creatives who are feeling and writing in tandem -it’s pretty magical. I love when the universe delivers this kind of stuff to us.
It helps so much to hear you GET IT. That you are dealing with this same thing - all of it getting kicked up lately.
I’m so grateful for writers like you and the four listed here who offer up a compassionate approach to peeling all this back.
I am familiar with and subscribe to Kristi Koeter and wanted to include her too but I said, ah! It’s FOUR to follow so I had to scale back. She inspires me, too!
Thanks so much, for being here as you are, always Amy. 💕
The 3 "S's" do seem in sync for us and I love it. I keep seeing this grappling with our bodies and our eating coming up lately in essays by women; tis that time of year, I think. When we don't look away, that's where breakthroughs can happen.
So I am going to save this one and read these later. This is a topic I relate to all too well. At the moment I feel like I’m making some pretty good headway so I’m going to let it sit. I’m so happy to know I’ll have this when I need some support ♥️
I will say this- the idea that we often think we’ve addressed something or put it to bed only to see it find its way back is exactly where I’m at right now. Both of my journal entries this week were about two separate hurts that I thought healed? Got clarity on? Well come to find out there is a lot more there for me to sort through. Telling myself that the work I’ve put in is giving me the capacity to revisit it. I can handle and hold these feelings now. It’s does feel different as I let them in.
I love that you recognize that the best approach for yourself right now is to revisit this - if/when the time feels right. Such gorgeous self-awareness right there.
The sneaking back in of past hurts can feel unsettling. Even when we know we have the tools to handle them. We ARE capable, that’s the key. We put in this work so that when it gets shaky we can find out footing.
Friend, can you believe this: we share a sober birthday!!! This January 2nd, I’ll be celebrating 14 years living in recovery. What happened for me in early recovery was a resurgence of “food issues” including body dysmorphia and bulimia. It’s a marathon, friend, but one that as we run (figuratively speaking) our muscles get stronger. When we slip or get injured (which happens), we know when to get help or rest. So grateful to have met you!!! And perhaps we can celebrate 🎉 on the 2nd together 🥰
Ahhh! My sober soul sister. How did we just figure this out now?!?!Love this beyond! You have a decade on me.
I really appreciate your words of wisdom & sharing your experience.
This is no race, I know. A marathon of endurance, in so many ways. On all the days. I feel like I’m slogging along lately but I’ll find my stride again, this I know. 🙏🏼
Yes to celebrating together (in some way!) on 1/2!!!
Wow, what a powerful song! Thanks so much for sharing that:) As far as the hunger goes, I've been living on Popcorners and Halo Top ice cream. Yes, there are worse things I could be eating, but I'm definitely not giving my 53 year old body the nutrients & protein it needs. Last night I found myself having my old drinking thoughts... I'm not really in the mood for ice cream tonight, BUT I ENDED UP EATING IN ANYWAY! It's like I'm in another habit loop. Last January I did a healthy eating challenge (with a Trim Healthy Mama group) and felt fantastic! Looks like it's time to do that again and try harder to stick with the healthy eating routine. I've discovered that I'm an "all or nothing" type of girl. Moderation has left my vocabulary. Lol Thanks again for a spot-on writing. I relate to you so much. Have a wonderful holiday! :)
There is no other writer and human on all of Substack who is so attuned to my own soul, Allison. I have been so consumed by thinking about weight and diets and body acceptance in the last several weeks, actually months, and today is the day I am going to try to put all of these thoughts down on the page/screen and try to make some sense of it that might be helpful to others and share next week.
And there you are, on exactly the same page. Incredible soul symmetry again, my friend. Thank you for your own honest and vulnerable reflections (you offer nothing less, week after week) and for the Four to Follow. I know and subscribe to Ashley but don't visit often enough and look forward to reading her essay, the same for Dana, she's incredible and I look forward to reading her 3-part essay. Danielle and Tracie are new to me and I look forward to reading them.
To your list, I would add one more, Kristi Koeter of Almost Sated. She's a sane, searching, honest voice in our disordered eating and body image world, for whom intuitive eating and body acceptance--an ongoing work in progress--has helped her and inspires me.
Synchronous soul symmetry - that seems to be a trend with you and I! Attuned creatives who are feeling and writing in tandem -it’s pretty magical. I love when the universe delivers this kind of stuff to us.
It helps so much to hear you GET IT. That you are dealing with this same thing - all of it getting kicked up lately.
I’m so grateful for writers like you and the four listed here who offer up a compassionate approach to peeling all this back.
I am familiar with and subscribe to Kristi Koeter and wanted to include her too but I said, ah! It’s FOUR to follow so I had to scale back. She inspires me, too!
Thanks so much, for being here as you are, always Amy. 💕
The 3 "S's" do seem in sync for us and I love it. I keep seeing this grappling with our bodies and our eating coming up lately in essays by women; tis that time of year, I think. When we don't look away, that's where breakthroughs can happen.
So I am going to save this one and read these later. This is a topic I relate to all too well. At the moment I feel like I’m making some pretty good headway so I’m going to let it sit. I’m so happy to know I’ll have this when I need some support ♥️
I will say this- the idea that we often think we’ve addressed something or put it to bed only to see it find its way back is exactly where I’m at right now. Both of my journal entries this week were about two separate hurts that I thought healed? Got clarity on? Well come to find out there is a lot more there for me to sort through. Telling myself that the work I’ve put in is giving me the capacity to revisit it. I can handle and hold these feelings now. It’s does feel different as I let them in.
I love that you recognize that the best approach for yourself right now is to revisit this - if/when the time feels right. Such gorgeous self-awareness right there.
The sneaking back in of past hurts can feel unsettling. Even when we know we have the tools to handle them. We ARE capable, that’s the key. We put in this work so that when it gets shaky we can find out footing.
I so appreciate you sharing this here, Amy. 🫶🫶
thank you for this, A. i also struggled in my late teens into early twenties and still, some days. thank you.
Yes, things resurface. Or at least leave a sticky residue of remembrance.
It helps knowing others get it.
Thanks, Elena 🙏🏼
Thank you so much for sharing! I am deeply grateful and look forward to reading the others.
So glad I found your words, Tracie!
Friend, can you believe this: we share a sober birthday!!! This January 2nd, I’ll be celebrating 14 years living in recovery. What happened for me in early recovery was a resurgence of “food issues” including body dysmorphia and bulimia. It’s a marathon, friend, but one that as we run (figuratively speaking) our muscles get stronger. When we slip or get injured (which happens), we know when to get help or rest. So grateful to have met you!!! And perhaps we can celebrate 🎉 on the 2nd together 🥰
Ahhh! My sober soul sister. How did we just figure this out now?!?!Love this beyond! You have a decade on me.
I really appreciate your words of wisdom & sharing your experience.
This is no race, I know. A marathon of endurance, in so many ways. On all the days. I feel like I’m slogging along lately but I’ll find my stride again, this I know. 🙏🏼
Yes to celebrating together (in some way!) on 1/2!!!
Truly grateful to be included here Allison. Thank you so much. With deep care, Ashley
I'm grateful for your words, Ashley. That essay really shifted something for me.
Thank you so much for the mention, Allison. Sending heart-sourced care, grace, and serenity your way. ❤️
I feel that - many thanks Dana. I appreciate you.
Wow, what a powerful song! Thanks so much for sharing that:) As far as the hunger goes, I've been living on Popcorners and Halo Top ice cream. Yes, there are worse things I could be eating, but I'm definitely not giving my 53 year old body the nutrients & protein it needs. Last night I found myself having my old drinking thoughts... I'm not really in the mood for ice cream tonight, BUT I ENDED UP EATING IN ANYWAY! It's like I'm in another habit loop. Last January I did a healthy eating challenge (with a Trim Healthy Mama group) and felt fantastic! Looks like it's time to do that again and try harder to stick with the healthy eating routine. I've discovered that I'm an "all or nothing" type of girl. Moderation has left my vocabulary. Lol Thanks again for a spot-on writing. I relate to you so much. Have a wonderful holiday! :)