The Eastern NEDA walk is Sunday April 25th at 11am eastern time. Months ago I had the intentions of planning something for my local support system to get together and walk the mile in my area and then enjoy a bite to eat together afterwards, like we traditionally do. However, time has gotten away from me and life has gotten in the way.
Lately I have struggled with balancing all the areas of my life and managing to be 100% in all areas. Being a type A perfectionist does not accept slacking off in any area of life. School, work, family, friends, relationship, taking care of my home, plants, managing meal plan, pets, etc. It is a lot to balance, and even harder when you set the standard of perfection at all times. My therapist is helping me work through that, but it did mean I had to make a tough decision about the upcoming walk.
With finals due the first weekend in May, I REALLY need this weekend to buckle down and be able to feel confident in the work I submit. It has been an extra challenging semester, so I feel as though I need to put even more effort into these last two papers. That means, no formal, organized walk this year. It was not an easy decision, but I knew that adding one more thing to my plate right now would not be a good thing for my mental health!
BUT, I will still take time on the 25th to observe the event and walk 1 mile, I just have no idea what time I will be doing it! Most likely in between hours of writing sessions. I still encourage you to walk 1 mile in observance too! Whether you registered through the team site or not, it is about the cause more than the organized event. Walk for your friend, sister, mother, aunt, uncle, brother, father, husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, cousins, nieces, and nephews. We all know at least one person that struggles with poor body image, low self esteem, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, body dysmorphia, bulimia, anorexia, or binge eating disorder. The NEDA walk may be about eating disorder awareness, but part of treating an eating disorder is addressing other occurring mental illnesses. By walking you remind someone that they are not alone. You are telling them that although you don't know what they are going through, you support them. You are telling them I believe you and I believe IN you.
So I encourage you to walk 1 mile on April 25th. You choose the time, you choose the place. Show your Stay Strong and Beautiful pride in your own way! I would LOVE to see photos of how you choose to support the NEDA walk! You can email them to staystrongandbeautifulblog@gmail.com or you can tag @stay_strong_and_beautiful on instagram! Your support and love are my motivation to keep talking, keep fighting, and keep advocating.
Our NEDA walk team surpassed our donation goal!!!! Thank you SO much to everyone that donated and shared the fundraiser on Facebook. My heart is so full. Words can't express how grateful I am.
Donations can still be made at http://neda.nationaleatingdisorders.org/site/TR/NEDAWalk/General?team_id=43934&pg=team&fr_id=4781&fbclid=IwAR2m7-JXbYyUTakScCYEXSaouiKNUQJBHB_WpclmpJU08y8ym2Gaf_FbdV4
I look forward to seeing how you observe 4-25-2021
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<3 Stay Strong and Beautiful