August 2011
July 2011
When I read this message I started to cry.
I don’t even know how to articulate how I feel right now.
But I’m going to try.
I feel so incredibly grateful to wake up to messages like these. I feel so blessed to have a connection with people like you, even if it’s over the internet and we have never met, because its a reminder to me of how beautiful people are and the power we each hold to make a difference in someone’s day and positively impact someone’s life.
I feel so moved and so happy.
I keep rereading this and telling myself, yes it’s true, she actually said that. I just remember when I first came up with the idea for I. A.M. when I was in treatment probably two years ago in a body image group. I remember how it started as a small facebook group consisting of close family and friends, and how mind-blowing it is to me that it has grown to encompass people from all over the world.
I have so many dreams and hopes for I. A.M. and your message made me feel like they are actually possible, and perhaps that they are already happening.
In high school I wanted to start an I. A.M. club, and dreamed that someday I could spread I. A.M. to high schools all over the country and even to colleges. I thought about what I would do if I ran the club at my school and one of my ideas was discussing and relating to blog entires from I. A.M. So just reading you saying that you are doing just that, touched a very special place in my heart.
If there is ever a topic that you are interesting in discussing in your support group, you can always message me and let me know, and I will try my best to post a blog entry on it.
Don’t ever hesitate to message me if you ever need support. I would love to listen and help in whatever way I can.
Thank you so much again.
I’m going to treasure this message forever.
Sending you so much love,
Daniell
Thank you so much for this message :)
Tumblr can definitely have a lot of pictures that are destructive to our self-esteem.
But even outside of the internet, there are lots of triggering and unhealthy messages being fed to us. Whether it’s the advertisements in magazines, commercials on tv, or specific television shows, there are negatively impacting pictures and ideas everywhere :/
All we can do is stay away from them and focus our attention in positive places and with people who make us feel accepted and good about ourselves.
I’m so honored that you find this tumblr to be a positive place and influence.
Thank you so much for your support!
Have a wonderful sunday!
Daniell :)
This message touched a special place in mine :)
Thank YOU so much for your support and kindness.
Have a lovely night!
Daniell
Thank you so much!
:D
Hi!
Thank you so much for your support :)
It means so much to me.
Blogging for I. A.M. has definitely been a huge part of my recovery, both as a motivator to get better and as a means to reaffirm recovery-ideals.
I have been doing a lot better.
I got some much needed tough love from my therapist and dietician, lots of support from one of my best girl friends and family, and a job at barnes and noble, which lifted my self-esteem way up :)
I used to feel like I was a hypocrite for posting about recovery and self-acceptance when I myself was struggling and did not accept who I was.
Now though, I don’t think of it as being inauthentic or hypocritical, but as blogging to help inspire myself too and fight my own demons.
And you aren’t going on and on. Not at all.
Your message is beautiful and I’m incredibly grateful for this message and your support. I’m always open to what people have to say.
And what you shared with me really made a difference. Don’t second guess yourself :)
Sending you love and lots of positive energy!
Daniell
:)
Thank you so much for this message.
I wish you the same!
Sending you lots of positive energy and love!
Hope you are having a lovely night :)
-Daniell
Maybe you can redefine happiness and sadness for yourself.
The truth about emotions, the good and the bad, is that they don’t last.
Just like waves, feelings rise, peak, and then fade.
How long they stay with us depends on our attitude and outlook.
Try and think of happiness and sadness as being like day and night in that when you are feeling stuck in the darkness of depression and despair that even though you feel uncomfortable and miserable, that you know daytime, with its sunshine and warmth and happiness, will come in only a few hours.
I know that you are afraid to allow yourself to be happy because you think, “What’s the point if it’s not going to last and then I will have to work really hard to get there again…”
BUT, in life things change and nothing lasts for ever.
It’s the way of the universe.
The next time you feel sad, don’t think of it as failing or falling or even moving backward.
Every experience and emotion has a lesson to teach us.
Think of your periods of sadness as opportunities to grow and learn.
Sadness doesn’t come out of nowhere, there is always some cause or underlying issue. So maybe you can use the time you are sad to journal and really try and get to the bottom of your hurting.
Sadness is just as important as happiness, and without the first, we wouldn’t be able to really enjoy the second.
To get over your fear you have to redefine sadness, sit with your feelings, and figure out their source.
Ask some people you feel close with how they cope with sadness and other uncomfortable emotions.
And remind yourself that going from sadness to happiness isn’t as hard as you may think.
Use coping mechanisms to get you through your rough patches.
Journal, make a list of friends to call, light a candle and listen to soothing music, watch your favorite movie, take a bubble bath, get your nails done, read affirmations—basically a lot of self-care activities to care for your soul.
Know that you aren’t alone in your fear. And that they only way to overcome it, is it allow yourself to feel whatever it is you feel, whether it’s happiness, sadness, disappointment, shame, embarrassment, anger…feel your feelings…without judgement.
