I really loved reading this article as I can really relate to it. I honestly do feel as though my Blog is helping to save my life. <3
Reality read: "Blogging helped me overcome my eating disorder"
Kirsten, 15, was in a very dark place when she found recovery in the most unexpected place.
12:0AM, Mar 26
Kirsten, 15, was in a very dark place when she found recovery in the most unexpected place.
In September 2011 I was in hospital fighting for my life. I was battling to overcome an eating disorder after starving myself to the point that my organs had started shutting down. It's amazing that I’m here today, happy, healthy and on the road to recovery. My eating disorder is in my past – and I've got my blog, The Kissy Project, to thank for that.
It all started last spring – at 14, I'd just moved to a new school on Sydney's Northern Beaches. I was a healthy size and weight, but I was desperate to fit in with my new classmates and constantly comparing myself to other girls. I felt under pressure to be skinny for summer, so I started secretly skipping meals and reducing my calorie intake. I didn’t tell anyone, but every time I stepped on the scales and saw the weight coming off, I felt proud.
Soon, losing a few kilos wasn't enough. In just six weeks my clothes started hanging off me and my ribs and collarbones were jutting out, but I didn't care. Once, after going almost an entire week without food, I blacked out on a school outing.
My mum and family were desperately worried. Mum said "We need to get you some help," and she called The Butterfly Foundation, an eating disorder support group. I was so weak that the very next day, I fell unconscious. I was rushed to hospital and doctors told my parents I might not survive.
I was fed through a tube and when I came round, I was scared of eating again. But gradually, with the support of the hospital, my family and friends, I learnt to eat again and got back to a healthy weight.
It was hard and while I was back home recovering, I missed a lot of school. I wanted to help my friends understand what I was going through. So in March 2012 I started writing a daily blog about my recovery. I called my blog The Kissy Project because my nickname is Kissy – it’s short for Kirsten.
I shared my first post on Facebook with some of my friends. I couldn't believe it when it went viral – 50,000 people read it in the first few days. Soon, I was getting messages of support from girls all over the world. Many thought they might have an eating disorder too. I tried my best to reply them, advising them to tell someone close to them what they were going through and to seek help. Reading their stories and knowing I was helping them really motivated me to get through the tough times. My blog was an outlet for me and all the support I got helped me realise that I am a beautiful person, inside and out, and that I’m much more than just a number on the scales.
My blog has now had over 600,000 hits and I've received messages from people in 73 different countries. I spend around two hours every day replying to them. I’ve even launched The Kissy Project app – it's free to download and has information and contact numbers for eating disorder organisations. Subscribers also receive a quote or tip from me every day, which I hope they find positive and inspiring. I'm determined to help other girls like me. I want them to know that they are not alone, that they can get help and get through it, just like I did.
These days, I can't remember the last time I skipped a meal – I love my food and my body. I feel awesome – and I've got my blog to thank for that. It saved my life.
For more information visit thekissyproject.com or contact The Butterfly Foundation (thebutteflyfoundation.org.au).
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