Everybody Knows Someone

A dear friend of mine texted me last night, asking me to send her a picture of the Empire State Building.  After asking her why, she informed me that it was lit blue and green in honor of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

I don’t talk about it much now (nor did I at the time), but I battled with an eating disorder throughout most of my college years.  It wasn’t something that I was proud of, so I always just brushed it under the rug — swearing that I was “just stressed” and that it “wasn’t a big deal” and that I was “totally fine.”  Luckily, I was surrounded by wonderful family and friends who saw right through me, picked me up off of the ground, and got me the help that I needed.  Without them as a support system, I would definitely not be where I am today.

In retrospect, I’m thankful for what I went through (and thankful that it’s over!)  It may be hard to believe, but my struggles ended up opening new doors for me, encouraging me to be a more compassionate person, and introducing me to some of my very closest friends — most of whom I still talk to daily!  I suppose that everything really does happen for a reason.

Everybody Knows Someone who struggles with a life-threatening eating disorder.  For this reason, I urge you to take the time to educate yourself properly.  For more information on the different types of eating disorders, common signs and symptoms, treatment methods and facilities, and ways in which you can help, please visit the official NEDA website.  Your knowledge could help save someone’s life!

[National Eating Disorders Week began on February 26th and extends through March 3rd.]

related post

• Fridays with Frankie D
• Life Lessons
• The Girl
• Things to Do in NYC
• The Bucket List

28. February 2012 by Alyssa
Categories: Current Events, Family, Food, Friends, New York City | Tags: Anorexia, Awareness, Eating Disorder, Everybody Knows Someone, NEDA | 8 comments

8 comments on “Everybody Knows Someone”

1. debbie on February 28, 2012 at 8:42 pm said:

   I love you and I am so glad that my eating disorder, as hellish as it was, led me to your friendship<3
   • Alyssa on February 28, 2012 at 8:46 pm said:

     And I love you. But you knew this.
2. emily on February 28, 2012 at 9:01 pm said:

   i love you. i’m proud of you today & every day. you inspire me to try harder, live harder, adventure harder, love harder, dream harder. I’m grateful that these experiences have brought us together, and i’m grateful for you- your dream chasing, wide eyed, curious, excited, adventurous, passionate personality. it’s amazing & i love having seen it evolve over the years & become what it is now.
   • Alyssa on February 28, 2012 at 9:03 pm said:

     You’re going to make me cry!
3. Brooke on February 28, 2012 at 9:16 pm said:

   I LOVE YOU!
   • Alyssa on February 28, 2012 at 9:28 pm said:

     WHERE WOULD I BE WITHOUT YOU?

4. Pingback: 3 Great Things You Need to Know About | alyssa arminio

5. Pingback: URL