So I’ve been a huge fan of Essena O’Neill for a while now but her latest (and last) video has made me think a lot about the issues of self-image and the damage it can cause people.
I grew up like her, thinking that a particular lifestyle and body was the ideal. I struggled for ages to try and fit that but no matter how I tried I just never could do it. I was miserable through most of my teenage years as I hated the body I had and everything about myself.
It took several years of counseling and therapy before I was able to turn a corner because it is true. The electrical world is not true; no matter how amazing the screen can be it doesn’t compare to the open sky or endless sea. I now go to the Gym regularly, I eat healthier and don’t calorie count, I go to the library and play video games with people all over the world.
It is impossible to find perfection in yourself without acceptance of everything, perfect and imperfect. I will never be like those models and those people who “had it all“ but I don’t want to be. I’m happier in myself than I’ve ever been and I just wanted to say my piece.