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Content warning: This post features triggering content, including Anorexia and Mental health.
The title of this post is the opening line from Ana’s Song (open fire), by Silverchair. Daniel Johns wrote the song to talk about his struggle against Anorexia.
Quote Quest Week 3 Prompt:
“Right on the edge of fear was where trust could grow.”
― Cherise Sinclair
As a mum of a young girl, I feel fear about the world she is growing up in. I happened to watch 24h in A&E last night and watching one of the cases made me feel genuinely worried. There was a teenage girl in the unit suffering from Anorexia, with her visibly anxious mum. The poor girl had convinced herself she needed to count calories when she ate. She was essentially starving herself. Despite her mother’s pleas for her to eat, she didn’t seem to realise the gravity of the effects upon her health. In a fortunate turn of events, the shock of staying overnight on the ward and having a near-miss in cardiology prompted the teenager to take the advice of the treatment team seriously.
I say fortunate because I hope this young girl has the right care to ensure she returns to full-health both physically and mentally. When I was on placement whilst at University, I house-shared with a young guy. I think he may have developed an eating disorder. Sadly, it cost him his life. I remember being back at University when one of the other people I’d lived with on that year out phoned to tell me of his death. I felt heartbroken for his family and loved ones.
Little did I know then, that I would have a battle with mental health. Mine wasn’t food-related; but it’s easy to see how an impression can be made on an individual, especially when they are young. There is still fat-shaming in our society. I encourage my daughter to eat healthily and remain physically active. I’m also mindful that as her parent, I need to limit her exposure to online content that could be damaging for her self-esteem. At the same time, I have to trust that she will make the right decisions for herself, without feeling under pressure from her peers/ other sources to be ‘skinny.’ Just be healthy, I think to myself.
The fear I feel of wasted youth and life is a real one. I’m attempting to rationalise the fear by doing all I can to ensure my daughter feels loved as she is. I trust and hope that she and her peers will feel comfortable in their skin as they grow up, without feeling the need to conform to how they perceive society thinks they ‘should be.’ In case she ever has any doubt, I know a good song by Silverchair to play for her, Ana’s Song (Open fire). As Daniel sings, “And Ana wrecks your life, Like an Anorexia life.”
See what other bloggers are writing about for this week’s Quote Quest, by clicking here.
Read more of my musings on mental health here.
Sandpaper tears corrode the film 🎶
Somber yet great posts. Cheers! 🍸
It is a somber post, but like all things in life, there are positives to come from it. Thanks for commenting 💜
Yep, that’s right!
No sweat, it was a really great post!
Let me just say, as a daughter who was bullied by superficial parents until I was bulimic for years as a teen, accepting your daughter and telling her she is beautiful and valuable as a human being will go so much further than you may think. She’s lucky you’re so aware and caring xx
That’s so awful to hear you were bullied by your own parents. I hope if they are still in your life now, they treat you better. xx
Health is the main thing
Your posts about your little girl are always lovely and I know she is growing up in house where she is loved and more importantly will always be accepted for who she is <3 You are a fantastic mum xx
Aw thank you kindly, LSB. She’s a sweetheart and lightens up my world 🥰 xx
Sometimes people do/ say things without any concept of how it will be taken up and used, and some people deliberately tear down others in order to elevate themselves. I hope your dear little girl won’t fall foul of either situation, but with you providing mindful parenting there is much better hope that she can navigate these obstacles in life safely.
I am sorry you suffered a MH episode, I hope it will stay firmly in the past. It may, however, help you pick up warning signs if your daughter starts to feel troubled. You have a strong sense of family and a good head on your shoulders, by being vigilant at these early stages you will prove to be a great ally.
I try to balance consoling her with encouraging her to see that other peoples words can sometimes be thoughtless. That way I hope she’ll learn from a younger age to let things wash over her rather than taking them to heart.
I keep fighting my demons and it’s not always plain sailing especially when circumstances are what they are. That being said, I have a lot to be grateful for so I take each day as it comes and look for a rainbow wherever I can 😊🌈 I hope you have been keeping well Posy during these tricky times. xxx
With a mom as aware as you are to give her a balanced view of life, I am sure your daughter will take with her the right values. I have three grown children, and we never know whether our way of parenting is good, but have to trust when we raise them with values, they will have a good outlook on life.
Also a good thing you limit her exposure to online content, as there are just too much negativity and bullying our there.
Take care, LB, also of yourself.
~ Marie