Just as I want to write about the new Jean Huggies ad, I find something more in need of my words.
On my fave website, I came across some pictures of a super skinny girl. I clicked the link that the picture came from and found myself on a Tumblr page of a girl who's aiming to get her weight down to the mid-90s. She's at 105lbs now.
She has a photo of her torso- her stomach is paper thin and ribs are very visible. The copy underneath reads "not enough ribs! never enough!" Enough IS enough.
I did what I thought I could to help (and because I couldn't just "x" out and head to bed like this was nothing) and wrote her a little note on her blog about how she doesn't have to do this to herself, as there isn't any such thing as a "perfect body." I wasn't the first person to have written anything like that, either.
On the footer of the page, you can see images linking to other "need to be skinny" blogs written by girls just like this one.
I guess being in my mid-20s now, hearing about anorexia and people dying to become this thin isn't something I hear about all the time anymore. After seeing this though, it's so very present in the lives of girls everywhere.
Some of these girls are literally CRYING out for help, too. One of the blogs that this girl links to included a letter to the blog readers explaining that she's been cutting herself because she's so unhappy. This specific girl is 5'4 and weighs 125lbs- and she's trying for 100lbs.
People wrote to her telling her to go to the doctors and get some help. And you know what, she did! I don't think this girl is on the road to recovery because of people writing to her on her blog, (if you looked in depth into her blog, there are other things going on with her,) but, it's so sad to re-realize that this is all still going on.
I don't know how I could help these girls, but I want to try- somehow.
Wow how sad is that. I had NO idea such blogs existed, but I guess it doesn't really surprise me. Good on you for commenting and not just walking away - we all have to do our part to help others in these kinds of situations
ReplyDeleteI'm obsessed about my weight too but I don't go overboard, you know. My belief is that exercise is the best solution to lose weight and eat healthily. I do neither. But I know I'll be getting there somehow.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice of you to post about it! You can reach out to those girls through your blog! What say you?
Ok, One) I am so happy that you are back.. I feel like I check this blog all the time in hopes that you will be writing to me again! Ha ha. and Two) I come across thse blogs sometimes too and I am so shocked and discouraged. When I was younger I used to be so wrapped up in reading them, I could not believe that people could actually live this way. It is a sad sad reality and unfortunately a lot of these girls never ask for help, they are forced into it and are bitter upon recieving it. I wish there was something that we could do, I would totally join you on any venture girl!
ReplyDeleteYou have a very big heart and I am always happy to read your words.
Best,
Hannah Katy
Good Post Brittney. -Axmon
ReplyDeleteYou all have such big hearts. Thank you for your kind words and (I'm very happy to be back! Work is still nutty, so the posts won't be daily, but they will be more often than never!)
ReplyDeleteI'd like to figure out something to do, but I think it's so much bigger than me. I'll try to develop something in the next couple of weeks, though, that I will let you guys know about. Power in numbers :)
xoxo