Thanks so much for the kind words! Agreed–it’s tough, but an important balance to find nonetheless. Here’s to us (and a great new year)!

Liz, those kind words–I really did melt in my seat. I cannot thank you enough for your (youthful!!!) words of wisdom, because it’s so reassuring to know that growing comfortable in one’s own skin is part of the process. You just made this tough day that much more smile-worthy. I am smiling crazily in a cafe as I type this response. <3 sending so much love your way!

Thank you SO much, Cynthia. It’s been insanely reassuring and wonderful and crazy all at once to hear an entire community telling me their stories or just chiming in with their empathetic support–your comment really warmed my heart and made my day. It’s tough to hear that others go through the same, but I’m glad you found something to appreciate in this story. And thanks for the kind words about the gifs/cookies! They really did offer support for what has been a difficult past few months <3 have a wonderful weekend, Cynthia.

Shelley, I was completely electrified by your comment–thank you so much for reading, and I hope you never ever feel like you’re encroaching, whether you’ve been reading for five seconds or two years. I love reaching out and being touched by the lives of so many amazing people like yourself–I wouldn’t put it out there if it wasn’t to be read, and I’m so glad you did finally decide to leave your support in this wonderful comment. It’s really reassuring to hear your story, and hey–why not help each other achieve a happier journey, right? So on a totally unrelated note, YES THESE COOKIES. omg Shelley you would love love love them so much, and they make everything better. Salt and vinegar would probably be so good–let me know how it tastes so I can try it too! THANK YOU, Shelley <3

YOU are amazing, Nancy–though I’m getting myself out of the rut of thinking that other people’s amazingness excludes my own or even more people’s awesomeness. I think that’s really the best approach to thinking through these complex moments, and I always love reading about your own experiences because it reminds me that what seems fine on the exterior may be very much akin to what I feel all the time–and that’s comforting in an odd, community-oriented way. Hitting the Publish button was not as difficult as I expected in this case–but part of it is because I’ve been working up to this post for such a long time, and have allowed myself to actually heal with such sincerity, that I really do feel like I’m in a different place than I was when it was most painful. I say I wasn’t anorexic because I didn’t necessarily perceive myself in terms of bodily concerns, but I also lost 25 pounds in a short period of time, which (I’m not deluded) is also not healthy…it’s terrible to hear that someone as sweet and deserving as you also went through this. I really, really hope you get a chance to write about it when you feel comfortable, because your posts about tough issues definitely helped inspire me to write this out, finally finally finally. You totally deserve a bajillion cookies for this one <3 I'll getcha back when you come visit me, k?