Lowri

‘Throughout school I struggled with being teased for a range of things from my gap tooth to being a “hairy” girl. Since hitting puberty I strove to fit in, waxing my monobrow and stomach and bleaching my upper lip. I begged for braces for years and would frazzle my hair by straightening it every day. I’d exercise religiously before bed even though I hated every second. Like so many young people, I spent years trying to force myself into a hole just not cut out for me, when all along I was perfectly healthy in my own right.

Since then, I’ve learned a lot about what it means to be happy and healthy within my own skin. I came to realise this throughout high school, supporting a large handful of friends who silently struggled with eating disorders which manifested themselves in ways which cannot always be seen by the naked eye. Seeing them pull through, recover and grow as beautiful people helped me realise that being ‘healthy’ is a unique concept for each person, and should be tailored differently to everyone. When I reached sixth form, I put an immense amount of pressure on myself to achieve the best marks I could, sacrificing my mental and physical wellbeing along the way. I now realise that that, for me, was not healthy. For me, the key to health is an intricate balance between taking care of yourself and pushing yourself just enough. I eat what I fancy when I want it, move when I’m feeling so, rest when I need to, and work my hardest. At 20 years old I am a happy, hairy, curly, gap-toothed, beautiful person who has have never felt healthier.

Health is not homogeneous concept! Do what’s best for you.’