Body Positive Tattoos:)

Hello my sweet angels!

I plan on writing a full article this weekend, but today I just wanted to share with you some of my favorite body positive, self-love tattoos. Body mods + Self-Appreciation= I Am In Paradise

I Don't Give A Single Fudge

Hello my darling angels,

Let me tell you, boys and girls and non binaries, the Lord hath tested me as of late.

I am 18 years old, and as a result, I feel I am more comfortable with my identity than when I was 14.
I know who I am, what I want, what I like, and, as these past few weeks have proven, I am old enough not to give a single ounce of a fudge if the aforementioned don't comply to other people's tastes.

But no matter how old I get, it's hard sometimes to not let other people's opinions get inside your , and it's not everyday I feel like a ball busting finger snapping diva.

Example Number 1: My High Tops

About 2 months ago, I had a wonderful Etsy shop by the name of KaylaStojek make me a pair of custom designed, glitter monster, psychedelic, Jimmy Hendrix Experience-looking high tops.
When I got them in the mail, I. Was. Stoked.

Unfortunately, many a'folk did not share my fond sentiments towards my shoes.
Some told me they looked great,
Some kept quiet if they didn't particularly adore them (hello, manners!)
but some...well, let's just say some were less quiet.

I literally had people insulting my shoes as I walked past them in the hall. Snickering, pointing, and telling me to my face that I had one tacky pair of shoes.

To be fair, I go to school in a living, breathing J. Crew catalogue, so I expected a bit of attention, but I thought that my fellow classmates had reached a point in their lives where differing tastes and styles were celebrated and accepted.

At first, I must say, I was heartbroken.
*Cue High School Musical's "Stick To The Status Quo"
"I should have bought something more conservative, that would blend in with the crowd."
Why couldn't I just like what everyone else likes?!

But when I wore my shoes alone in my house, I felt happy.
These high tops made me happy.
I felt like myself, like a piece of my identity was being reflected out into the universe.

So why should I let beautiful inner feeling of pride in who I am wither away with the voices of strangers? 
----

Example 2: Industrial

Another example is my industrial.
Yes, I got an industrial piercing (pictured left, with filter because it is still very bruised).
I have wanted this damn hanger through my ear for yeaaaaars.
But I never got it.

It wasn't the pain, or the money, or my school's dress code that stood in my way.
It was me.

I thought people would call me a poseur, an amateur, a fake.
I thought it wasn't "my style", but that's a lie. Your style is what you like, plain and simple.
I was afraid if wasn't the style that other people perceive me to have, and that bubble of conformity and security was difficult to burst.

But here's the thing. I did not have a needle pumped through my cartilage for them.
I got it for me.

I did not watch my friend (shoutout to my gurl Lubear) almost pass out from watching me get pierced so that I could pretend to be someone I'm not, no.
I got it for me.

And I freaking love it.
Oh I'm going to get some comments, no doubt, I already have.

But everyday, as I peel away the layer of skin that doesn't belong to me, that belongs to others and what they think of me, I grow stronger.
I look into the eyes of the judgement's beholder, and I smile.
Because I could not give less of a fudge.

----------------------------
Some may say this conversation is superficial.
But to me, it's not about the shoes, or the piercing, or the jeans, or the headband, or the haircut.
It's about being happy.

Because you know you shouldn't care what others think about you.
But God, the people who say that don't what it's like to walk through the cut throat hallways of school.
Sometimes it's just easier to blend in.

But the easier route doesn't make you happy.
It would be easier to not study hard for that test, but you want that 4.0 GPA
It would be easier to lay back and watch TV, but you still train for that marathon.
It would be easier to twiddle your thumbs all day, but you pursue your passions anyway.

So yeah, it would be easier to blend in. To let the shining star of individuality inside you fade to black. 
But don't you want to be happy?
To be proud of who you are, to reflect your inner being into the universe and watch it inspire others?

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference". -Robert Frost

Have a lovely day
xoxo

Gabby

Fat Discrimination? Lululemon and A&F controversy explored

Hello my beautiful fudgies:)

When Abercrombie & Fitch's CEO stated, "A lot of people don’t belong [in our clothes], and they can’t belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely" ( http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/fashion/abercrombie-won-sell-xl-article-1.1339454#ixzz2c3ZZNU9f) I wasn't exactly shocked. This is blatant fat shaming and discrimination, but let's look at who we are dealing with here. A&F's women sizes only go up to a size 10, or a large, and they are notorious for plastering very thin, very pretty and very caucasian models on their store's walls, bags and billboards. 

Besides, A&F has been struggling for a few years, now more than ever, with a 13% fall in retails sales after their 1st 2013 quarter. 

But when famous athletics retail company Lululemon released a statement explaining why they don't plan on expanding their market to those who don't fit into sizes 2 to 12, I started to get worried. 

Is this the new trend? Is a fat shaming brand clique being formed as we speak, slowly but surely cutting out their "largest" sizes? And what will be the new plus size in a few years, a size 6??!

The average women in America is a size 14, hence the average american woman is not welcome into any of the aforementioned stores. Now I know that the appearance of exclusivity is crucial to these respective brands, but by cutting out the biggest piece of the demographic pie, aren't they also cutting out the biggest piece of potential buyers? 

I also find it very revealing that Lululemon, an ATHLETICS wear company, refuses to dress those who don't fit into their mold. The media, the doctors, even the random guy at the bar who tells you to eat a salad; they all claim to shame your body for your HEALTH. But isn't it funny that one of the key holders to the kingdom of workout wear, along with so many hidden others, doesn't allow the plus size  population to buy their outlandishly expensive yoga leggings? What does that say about all these pretenders who supposedly worry about your health? 

A young women who wears a size 16 wants to start hiking, but no retailer manufactures the appropriate clothing for her body type. Yet somehow society isn't at least partly responsible for its population's weight and health?

Here's the deal: for many of these retailers, to be fit, you have to be thin. 

To the rest of you; tough luck. 

I applaud retailers such as Forever 21 and ASOS who carry sizes for all shapes and sizes, but will they have to fight body discrimination on their own, or will other body positive retailers join them? Only time will tell. 

Until then,

Have a great Friday my dolls:)

xoxo

Gabby

The After Shot: By Anna

Hello my darling fudgies!

Today's creative writing piece comes from the immensely talented Anna, who is only 14 years old. We graciously borrowed this post from her equally wonderful blog storiesfromtheyoung.tumblr.com.  

Please enjoy and give her some love :)

The “After" Shot

Do you ever feel like a “before" picture? Like, one section of those side by side comparisons of celebrities or people losing weight. You’re the awkward first picture, flaws everywhere.

Your skin is uneven and often a different color entirely when compared with the rest of your body.

You have some fat in your cheeks that gives you dimples but you’d rather have cheekbones.

Any bone structure that genetics have graced you with is hidden under a layer of extraneous tissue.

Your eyes are to wide, eyebrows uneven, pupils dilated.

Your nose is crooked.

Your lips are uneven and too thin or too thick,

Your ears stick out.

Your hairs a mess.

We’ve all be there right?

But wait, there’s hope! At some point in your future you’ll gain/lose some weight in the right places. You’ll acquire tweezers and concealer. You’ll learn to style your hair in a different way to hide your ears and you’ll cover your under eye circles. The second photo will be professionally done. You’ll be prepared for it. Before pictures are too often selfies that were just on your desktop and you thought “hey I’ll use this as the before picture."

I’d like to be that person who says “I think the first picture is more beautiful/ amazing because they’re not made up and posed." Unfortunately I can’t claim that. We’re conditioned to value the second picture more. We find them more attractive and would rather associate with the mature then the juvenile.

I’m not going to go on about media and the distortion of what is beautiful. But I will say one thing.

I wish those pictures compared the people we are, not the aesthetic values of our skin.

I wish they showed the trials we overcame. The things we lost. The people we loved. I know for a fact that if someone compares a picture of me now and one in ten years they will like the after shot.

But I’ll like the before. I’ll appreciate the clueless and generally anxious and depressed teenager staring back at me. I’ll understand the bags under her eyes as a personality trait, not necessarily a flaw. She earned those dark circles from nights of insomnia and uncontrollable crying and hopelessness. She survived them and even though she’s never admit it, she wears them as a sign of pride.

Maybe as we get older we just get better at hiding ourselves in pictures. We are more willing to cover up our scars and tuck away our flaws.

Or maybe we just stop having those problems and have only those that don’t manifest themselves on our skin.

Of course I don’t have those answers, I’m only the before.

xoxo 

Gabby

Plastic Surgery Addiction?!

Hello my gorgeous fudgies :)


I have often been prompted to talk about the ever so controversial topic of PLASTIC SURGERY! 

Indeed, you are all apparently dying to hear my thoughts on this growing epidemic known as the cosmetic surgery fad. I do stress the use of the word cosmetic:  used or done superficially to make something look better, more attractive, or more impressive (dictionary.com), because the opinion I am about to promulgate is solely based on cosmetic, superficial alterations, therefore excluding procedures for burn or severe accident victims. 

Now. Let's dig in. 

Many people automatically assume I am staunchly opposed to plastic surgery, because I advocate self-acceptance, healthy body image and body positivity. And while I'm not exactly out on the streets preaching its benefits, I am not against it either. I happen to be incredibly liberal about these sorts of things: Doesn't affect me? Knock yourself out. 

The same theory applies to this particular subject, yet I still want to examine the causes behind this decision a little more closely, especially in relation to this idea of a plastic surgery addiction. 

I don't doubt that there are people who undergo these surgeries who are in it for all the right, healthy reasons: They are not getting it because:

1. They have been teased, bullied or pressured into it by peers

2. They think they can finally achieve perfection (LOL)

3. They think life will simply get easier (career, relationship, and self-esteem problems? POOF ALL GONE)

These people are likely to get the surgery, be content, and then that's that. 

But there is also an alarming percentage of cosmetic surgery undertakers for whom the outcome is completely different than the one formerly mentioned. 

Sure, they are happy with the surgery. For a while. 

But then it's not enough. They need something else fixed, plucked, smoothed, boosted, and plumped.

And then another, and another, until they are knee deep in silicone and debt. 

But the problem is not the surgeries themselves, we know they don't have to be that way.

What's really going on here?

The problem is not the crooked nose, or the flat chest. If they were, their alterations would have set the other person free.

The real problem is inside the person's head. It's a fixation he or she has created, constantly obsessing over this infinitely tiny portion of their whole. 

The obsession has nothing to do with the "flaw" itself. It is just a sublimation of the individual's deeply troubled body image and self-esteem. 

Completely unaware of this, he or she goes and gets the miracle surgery that will fix EVERYTHING. 

Right? As we know all too well, wrong, because it will satisfy them for a while, but the poor self esteem will creep back in, and find something else to be consumed by. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Those are my thoughts on the subject.
If you want to undergo a cosmetic surgery, I won't stand in your way. But think long and hard about your motives, and your relationship with yourself.

Personally, I wouldn't get one, because I know for a fact I won't ever be perfect, so why bother with fancy expensive surgeries when I can be perfectly happy with what I got?
Also, needles and scalps and chainsaws? (okay, maybe not the last one) DON'T THINK SO.

Whew that was a long one, but I was in need of a long scientific ramble.
Have a fantastic week my loves <3

xoxo
Gabby

A Spark: By Anna Hoyt

Hello my lovely fudgies!

I haven't written a post for you all in what seems, and okay might be, ages.

I am working on an amazing ad campaign video for The Fudge Perfection Project, which I truly hope you love :)

But today we have a new creative writing piece by Anna Hoyt (yes! the same one who acted and wrote  The Definition of Beauty: check it out at the bottom of the page!)

A Spark

A path of ice, of snow and sleet, one of a hurricane raging,

And a path of sand, of calming waves, of the ocean's innocent breeze.

Though these two paths are seasons apart,

Eventually their months must meet.

Along a road I had gone, until I met their crossings,

The path of ice, or the path of sand, both just as long and hard,

A choice that many have to make.

I took the path of sand and waves, the path my heart desired,

But after many seasons had gone,

I was again at the two paths crossings.

Regret and sorrow filled my soul, a journey of the weak-minded,

I had no choice but to start again, but now the paths were different.

One of fire, of raging heat, a nightmare waiting to happen,

And the other of water, of cool faith and forgiveness.

My heart longed for the path of forgiveness and faith,

But I took the path of fire,

And after many long falls, the fire had gone,

But now its spark is within me.

If you like her work, do let me know, for we may be seeing more of Anna's work in the future if you love her as much as I do. 

To see her monologue "The Definition of Beauty", click below!

http://youtu.be/tK1bUbyURec

Thanks so much dolls<3

Xoxo
Gabby

Music I'm listening to: "Knocking on Heaven's Door" by Guns n Roses
Because Axl Rose in the late 80s=ASDDFKGHHLLZXCVBNN <3
This performance blows my mind everytime: http://youtu.be/riH9aygQdjY

Book: US history book 1 and 2
Yay summer studies!! -_-

The Definition of Beauty: A Monologue by Anna Hoyt

My darling friend Anna Hoyt, an incredibly singer and actress, has put together this breathtaking video for us.

You guys need to stop making me cry. :)

Enjoy dolls! <3

Comparing Yourself, Hurting Yourself

Hello my darling fudgies!

 I have officially as of today graduated high school! So lots more posts coming your way this summer, on top of the weekly videos I am working on for the Fudge Perfection youtube channel, without forgetting my internship with ANEB Quebec.
(Wait, where did my life go? Oh wait hahaha I don't have one)

But in all seriousness, today's article is quite an important one. A few months ago I posted an article on how not to compare yourself to others, or at least doing so in a healthier way. Although I still agree with the general premise, I want to add some key elements I had left out (because maybe I just recently figured them out...MAYBE).

Here is what I want you to know about other people, comparing yourself to them, jealousy and insecurities:

There will always be, in this horrible and wonderful life that is ours, someone who is just a little bit better than us, or maybe a lot better than us.
Praised, and idolized, and put on a towering pedestal our nubby runner up fingers can never seem to reach.

We let it eat at us, gnaw at us, until we have successfully convinced ourselves that all we are is a series of failures, a slew of nothings, a perpetual state of unimportance.

But why should we?

As far as I know, there is no limited reserve of amazing, where one's gain is the inevitable loss of another. Do the experiment: when a friend aces a math exam, check your purse, wallet, and list of talents and qualities. Lost anything?

We are letting the people around us and their success take a piece of our worth, when in fact we should let them add to our goals, our inspirations. Don't let anybody steal your fire, let their light fuel it (I know, unbearingly self-help-y, don't judge me). 

A friend of yours is a skydiving adrenaline seeker? Don't let it make you feel weak, fragile and terrified. Give yourself a chance to do something you are afraid of (perhaps not jumping out of plane, YOU COULD NOT PAY ME ENOUGH, raising your hand in class or going up to a stranger will suffice)

Seen your sister accomplish her childhood dream? Don't let it make you feel lost, hopeless and far from your own dreams. Let it push you to take steps towards your goals, work harder, take risks!

Life is what we make of it, including the people who surround us. You will always be amidst a diverse range of flawed but enviable people, so make the best of your opportunity to grow.

And remember that there is someone out there that has envied you in some way (stop sassily raising your eyebrow, I know it to be true), which means you too are unimaginably worthy.

Have a lovely day, my dolls!
Xoxo
Gabby

Videos coming up:
1. Have a Friend With An Eating Disorder?
2. Self harm
3. Fudge Perfection: hall of fame
4. Gabby's Q&A

Songs I'm loving:
I Appear Missing, QOTSA
Loose Lips, Kimya Dawson

Blog/Article: giveyoualemon.blogspot.com

What An Eating Disorder Looks Like

The first question the ANEB Quebec speaker asked during one of the workshops I attended in Montreal

was the following:

She showed dozens of faces. Young, old, white, Asian, men, women, dark hair, freckles, you get the drill.
She then asked the audience: who in these pictures has an eating disorder?

No one answered. And no one CAN answer such a question. As I have repeated time and time again, eating disorders are a purely psychological
illness.

Obviously there can be physical consequences, but the source of the problem, thus the key to treatment, is all up in that crazy hormonal brain of ours.

The picture shown on my right speaks volumes of the way the media sometimes treats EDs.

Emaciated girls are used in about 85% of ED booklets, prevention campaigns, or entertainment (talking to you, dr phil), and while I understand that these are mostly used to create an impact, a lasting impression, it also creates a social construct that people who are suffering from a MENTAL disorder must have specific BODY attributes.

Wait, what?


There are so many people out there suffering from eating disorders, but because of their physical nature, their gender, their age, what have you, they could never imagine that THEY are suffering from a "skinny bitch" illness.

Even worse, some people feel ashamed to get help because they feel their bodies do not look like those in the prevention campaigns, which is depressingly ironic.


What you need to know is that you are entitled to help, support, and understanding, no matter how you look or how people may judge you. Pain is pain, size 0 or 16.

You also need to know that I love you, just 'cause. :)

Xoxo

Gabby

Avoiding Binging Episodes?

Hello sweeties!

I recently wrote this article for ANEB’s blog (http://www.anebquebec.com/blogue/2013/05/13/astuce-simple-pour-contourner-une-crise-alimentaire/))but since it is written in French and I think it could help a lot of you non-francophone fudgies out there, I have decided to give up my preciioouus time in order to translate my beautiful scriptures for you all. If you insist, you may throw flowers at your computers… :P

Binging episodes are rarely accidental. For each and every one of us, there are moments in our long exhausting days when we are more likely to give into temptation,like your return home from school or work, or maybe a certain day of the week(I’m talking to you, Monday).  In these moments, we are lonely, tired and potentially emotionally drained; a dangerous combination. We can feel powerless against our temptations, as if our feet naturally carry us to the ever-so seductive corner store.

But fear not, I have a very simple solution! If we know ourselves to be susceptible at a certain time or location, why not simply AVOID these risky situations?

If you know Mondays are your weakness, find an activity or any time engagement during your free time that day.Distracted and surrounded by people, you will quickly (hopefully) forget your cravings.

If a certain location entices you more than any other, try, if possible, to make a detour around it or avoid it entirely. For example, you can take a different bus or get off at a different stop. You can also take another road to leave the mall, or stand on the other side of the street. Out of sight, out of mind,right?

Obviously,the psychological distress behind such episodes should be addressed first and foremost, but if we can avoid just one of these actions, it’s a good start J

Xoxoxo

Gabby

These are a few of my favorite things...

Happy monday, fudgies! <3

Today I'm simply showing you some of my favorite Internet, body positive discoveries!
But fear not, you have not seen the last of me this week, because eI have some pretty big stuff in the works for you guys!
Aaaannd, on top of all that excitment, there is a certain ice cream-related post being written as you're reading this, so you know this week will be fierce. 

So here we go: my top 3 body positive findings of the week!

1. Trisha Paytas' Beauty at Every Size

She's done it again! Honestly, I do not follow her youtube content, but when Trisha comes out with these great videos and you, dear fudgies, kindly send me their links, I am always very happy to see that bright, bubbly blond appear on my screen. Hoorah to Trish <3

2. This picture, among others, I found on tumblr.

It depicts an ad, found in 1950s archives, selling what I can only assume is a weight-gain product.

Personally, I am not going to go into the whole «my oh my, how times have changed, this is how women should look, curves are pretty, bones are not» spiel, because I don't believe in bashing anybody's body type, wether curvy or narrow. 

As a matter of fact, that is precisely the message I personally take from this picture. 

People are somehow under the impression that before our generation, women lived in a world where bodies of all types were accepted and treated equally. However, I believe this picture proves that even back in those days, certain body types weren't making the magazine covers, weren't considered the standard for beauty. It just so happens that back in the day, the narrower, thinner girls were the ones being bashed, even though for most of them, they had absolutely no control over their body types (genetics, poverty).

In 2013, the roles of curvy/versus/narrow have simply been reversed.

So you see? For some women to be considered «ideally beautiful», others have to be...well, not. 

3. Finally, the body image project blog
As some of you may know, last summer I wrote an article for this blog: The Body Image Project
Last night, I was parousing its content and was floored by the incredible honesty, truth and diversity of the blog's anonymous or famous entries.
Go check it out, it is worth while!

Well, that is all for today, dolls. <3
Have a happy rest-of-Monday and see yall later this week :)

xoxoxoxo
Gabby

The Thigh Gap: WTF

My darling fudgies,
I am returning from vacation with this post about «THE GAP».

The store, you may wonder?
I wish that was it, dear fudgies, for this subject is far more enfuriating than preppy clothes.

I cannot remember in what blog article, video or tumblr post I first heard about the Gap.
However, I do remember taking my computer on a wild trip, flying right out of my window.
I kid, of course... (in a completely unrelated subject matter, I am writing this post on my iPhone)
:P

For all the lucky girls who have yet to hear about the Gap, here is the definition:
the amount of space between ones thighs, aka the Gap. 

...
How about no.

As you can imagine, the tumblr thinspo crowd loooooooves to talk about their lack of gap, also the lack of food they eat to achieve this gap.
Sometimes, Tumblr, you let me down.

Here are my top 3 (top, because there are about 1000 reasons why this is inherently wrong) reasons why this whole Gap talk needs to Go.

1. Genetics
This presumptious gap is actually due to something like 80% genetics, DNA, what your parents gave you. Whether you have wide or narrow hips, your metabolism, your bone structure, these are ALL REASONS WHY GIRLS CAN HAVE THIS GAP AND WHY SOME GIRLS, TRY THEY MAY, CANNOT. 

2. Objectification
I, in my life, have actually heard a guy say to his equally stupid friend: I love yoga pants, you can totally see if a girl has the gap. 
Well, dear gentleman, those words surely showed me you ALSO have a gap, IT IS THE EMPTY SPACE BETWEEN YOUR EARS.
If this leg gap, or lack thereof, has become a reason to date someone, I don't want to live on this earth anymore.

3. WHO CAREEEEESSSS
The distance between your thighs is, under no circomstance, a prerequisite for beauty.
You should never let something you can  barely control yourself affect your confidence.
The right people will not love or hate you for the gap. «the right people» should also include yourself.
Stop worrying so much about the Gap.
Fudge the Gap.

As GG would say, STAY GORGEOUS
xoxoxoxoxo
Gabby

ANEB Update

Happy Friday my lovely fudgies! <3

I wanted to update you all on the ANEB partnership I kinda/sorta/briefly mentioned in passing a few months ago.

For those who do not know what ANEB is, you are missing out!
It basically stands for Anorexia and Bulimia Quebec, but you can benefit from their ressources regardless of your location.
Here is their website: www.anebquebec.com
They have a lovely forum, some great ressources and helplines especially for my fellow Montrealers.
I'll let you discover their magic on you own!:)

A few months ago I sent them an email saying that I loved their organization and asked if we could possibly partner in some way.
To my GRAND surprise, they actually answered me. (by the way, no one ever answers my emails, hence the excitement :P)

Now, since I didn't have a specific idea of partnership, they simply told me that if ever I wanted to work with them on an event, I could contact them and see what we could do together.

So.
I should probably start planning another event.
:)

I'll be working on that as soon as my life starts to calm down (so, never? ha.ha.ha.), and it will probably be this summer.
What kind of event?you may be asking yourself.
...
...
...
I, um, litterally have no ideas.
But, fear not, YOU ARE ALL A LOT MORE CREATIVE THAN I. 
So if you could send me an email, tweet me or comment below (i know the commenting system sucks, im trying to fix that in the near-ish futur) to tell me what kind of event you would like to attend, where, when, etc. 
That would be lovely. :)

Thanks in advance, I'm anticipating your awesome ideas <3
As always, love yall
xoxoxoxoxo

Gabby

Validating Your Pain

Hello my gorgeous fudgies!
How has Monday been treating yall ?<3

First of all, I must apologize for my absence these last few days, weeks, it's not been months, has it?...
See, when you can't remember the last time you posted, that's when you KNOW you're in trouble :)
Exam sessions...they be crazy...(I'm tired, therefor, I am grammatically handicapped)

Today, I wanted to discuss something with you, regarding the original purpose of this blog.
Yes, we are travelling back in time to the prehistoric year of 2011, where it all began...

Monday, October Something-or-other (17, I think?), 2011
I'm sitting in a doctor's examination room.
It is 3:45, I skipped school for this appointment, because I can't imagine spending another day like this.
The doctor (Dr. Erdstein; yes I DARE speak his name) is asking me some questions.
He looks bored, he's not even trying to understand why I'm bawling my eyes out.
He leaves the room (looking for coffee perhaps...a girl? In my office, dying? nonsense), and I just sat there, staring at the Children's hospital across the street.
Little did I know a few weeks later I'd be in one of those sterile, creepy rooms staring down that same little doctor's office.

This has been going on for too long, the pain is too deep, the façade too heavy.
Yet no one seems to understand, or even acknowledge it.
«Why are you feeling this way?»
Well you see, oh wise one, if I knew that we would NOT BE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION.

...
Am I imaginating my own illness?

STOP.
That is exactly how people convince themselves they are well, they are healthy, they are happy.

Before wanting to get help, receive treatment, start over, smile...
I wanted someone to validate it.


And when I think about what I want you all to take from my own and each other's experiences,it certainly is nota loss of hope for humanity.

IT'S JUST THAT WHAT YOU'RE FEELING IS REAL.
OTHER PEOPLE HAVE FELT THAT WAY OR FEEL LIKE THAT RIGHT NOW.
I know...crazy!

SOLUTION: FORUMS. 
There are plenty of sites for people suffering different issues, from just every stuff to actual mental illness.
It can make you see your not-alone-ness (again, grammar handicapped. I apologize)
Here are a few I found for all sorts of issues, but don't forget GOOGLE IS YOUR BFF if you can't find one for you :)
1. anxiety: http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/
2. eating disorders: http://www.mentalhealthforum.net/forum/forum32.html
3. depression: http://forums.psychcentral.com/forumdisplay.php?f=6

So no, you are not making up these problems
you are not helpless
you are not  crazy (technically, legally...well I don't really know you:P).

You are just a human. A fudgie, actually, the best species there is. <3

Promise to write loads more this week, mmkay?

xoxoxoxoxoo
Gabby

17 Body Peace Treaty: Day 9

All right dolls, let's jump right in to vow #9 because SOMEONE is in a bit of a rush :)

Vow #9: Remember that even the girl who I'd swap bodies with in a minute has something about her looks that she hates.

Hard to believe, isn't it?

Maybe if girls spent less time TRYING TO BRING EACH OTHER DOWN.....

I'm sorry, got a little carried away:P

But in all seriousness, here are a few things to keep in mind concerning this vow:

1. We want what we can't (or naturally don't) have

Girls with curly hair usually end up straightening their locks.

But girls with straight hair would give their left arm to have curly hair.

So if it seems completely impossible that Miss Perfect Body you idolize doesn't L.O.V.E. every single thing about her body, keep in mind that some of the things you may be so jealous of, she wants the exact opposite.

As a matter of fact, she herself might want to trade bodies with someone else, and it is entirely possible that YOU could be that person.

Example: I <<<33333 freckles. Don't have any, but I think they are just the epitome of facial adorableness, and I would love some (if God is somehow reading this blog...just keep that in mind, mmkay? :P ). Which means that of course that at least 75 % of lucky girls who are blessed with freckles would rather not have them at all.

2. How about if YOU were the all mighty so-called-perfect-body girl?

Still have a hard time believing she doesn't wake up every morning thanking the Universe for this «perfect» body of hers? Think of this.

You, in your lifetime, have been, will be or are right now the beholder of a or several physical attribute/s that another girl would swap with hers in a nanosecond.

YOU ARE THE GIRL WHOSE BODY YOU SO IDOLIZE

Now Imagine all things you don't truly adore about your body...

And how if you told said girl who admires what you have that you don't love everything about your body, she probably wouldn't believe you, just like you don't believe your perfect body beholder.

Brace yourselves...I feel a breakthrough coming....<3

3. The last thing you should basically tell yourself in every scenario in life EVER is this:

You are enough.

You don't need to swap bodies, and you shouldn't want to, either (so I guess I have to take back my offer God...).

Why would you want to change anything about yourself!

BTW I LOVE YOU GUYS!

I HAVE SOLD OVER 20 BRACELETS TO INTERNATIONAL FUDGIES! YAY! <3

xoxoxoxooxoxoxoxo

Gabby