Content Notice: This story contains references to Disordered Eating.
I am very fortunate to have been raised with amazing parents in a home full of love. I am lucky to be an only child who has had everything that I’ve wanted. I am privileged to have been born with light skin and to have had no problems due to my race. And yet, I still feel empty inside.
I was eight years old when I started binge eating.
I was 11 years old when I had my first anxiety attack.
I was 13 years old when I had my first episode of depression.
I was 20 years old when I had an eating disorder similar to orthorexia.
Today, I am still not ready to share my full story—it would be far too long—but I want to share one of the self-care actions that most helped me strengthen my mental health. I have tried almost everything— therapy, psychiatric medicine, yoga, meditation, exercise, coloring mandalas, and more— but I’ve always lost interest because I struggle with being committed.