Thank you to Alsana for sponsoring this blog post.
Thank you to Alsana for sponsoring this blog post.
What was it like to be me growing up? Eye-opening.
It all started around age fourteen, when I began feeling self-conscious about my body. I was always the tall, lanky kid that was horrible at sports but a great talker and an even better writer. I guess you could say, I was a good observer.
So, what did fourteen-year-old Makaila observe? That she was losing sight of herself.
One of my professors, on the first day of class, pulled up on the projector a list of 50 words. Authenticity; Justice; Integrity; Inner Harmony; Productivity; Independence; Love; Family.
Core values. Values that highlight what we stand for, that guide our behaviors and our decisions and our actions. Values that guide our lives.
“I want you to take a few moments,” my professor said, “and read over these words. Think about them and what they mean to you; what they evoke in you. And then write down your top ten.”
NEDA is excited to share how NEDA Network member, Ophelia's Place, thinks outside the box to raise awareness around eating disorders and body image issues in its community, while at the same time finding a means of sustaining the organization so its important work can continue. We would love to hear how others are building community and sustainability, and hope this post prompts some other great ideas!