A Slave to Anorexia and Cutting
By Sarah, age 17, Pennsylvania
Sweet Designs Featured Writer
So many things have been overrated this year, so many new fad diets and "secrets" to being skinny. The demand to be skinny has led many to depression and insane behaviors. Many find that the easiest ways to lose the weight is to push themselves into some of the deadliest diseases. Anorexia and bulimia are some of the most harmful disorders amongst teenagers today. Not only are they extreme diseases by themselves, but they also lead into more severe diseases such as suicidal thoughts, actions, and commitment.
I was a slave to these things.
Suicidal actions such as cutting had taken over my 15th year of life and wouldn't let go. The demand to be stick skinny and beautiful was so strong that I felt no other way to be free. I was giving up. I thought that I wasn't meant to live. I wasn't worth life if I couldn't be like the models.
I was trapped by my thoughts. I wore long sleeves and arm warmers. Nothing was comforting any more. I felt ugly. I felt worthless. I felt that no one wanted me, that boys hated me, that I had no friends.
People would occasionally get a glimpse of my arms and would ask. I would lie, of course, telling them that I fell and scratched myself on furniture and things. They never believed me, but never asked further. I wanted them to know. I wanted them to care.
I just wanted someone to like me. I wanted someone to tell me I was beautiful, but I wouldn't let people say that. I hated my classmates for being beautiful, for being skinny.
After a few years of being a slave to myself I finally decided to change. I decided to let people compliment me and actually accept it. When someone called me beautiful I believed it. I ignored what the tabloids said and I went with what I liked. I felt beautiful, and I still do.
I found out which clothes compliment my figure. I found out which make-up covered up my severe acne. I did everything to love myself.
My suggestions: Be happy with who you are. Be willing to accept compliments and believe them. Be bold, be brave, be courageous! Be who you are, and don't care what the tabloids say or what the models look like. Everyone is different. Just be healthy!
So go out and enjoy yourself!!!
