Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are not fully a feminist issue but, its an issue that really hits close to home. I know some people who have suffered with eating disorders in the past and it sickens me that there are people in the world that are very much pro eating disorders.

What is wrong with being pro eating disorders? A lot of things. We as a society are being pushed to look our best, whether it is being prodded by media or by family. Slenderness has become the symbol of beauty even though it is also the symbol of illness. No one should ever look at themselves and say "hey, I gained 5 pounds by eating one of my favorite foods. I guess I am not going to eat it anymore."

I really hate the saying YOLO (you only live once, for those dinosaurs out there.), I just think its over done and really annoying because everyone and I really do mean EVERYONE says it. We should approach eating as like saying YOLO. we should take care of our bodies (like it says in the Torah to do so). We live only once, so we should take care of our bodies to make sure we have safe and healthy fun.but also, don't be afraid to have what you like in terms of food, regardless if you like something that is healthy or not. I have a teacher who legitimately freaks out all of the time, because she cant have what she likes and she is always worried about things being an adequate amount of calories. I think that, almost like the theme of Passover, we are slaves. We are constantly trapped in our minds, worried about what we are going to eat and worried about our outward appearances. There are some people who are exceptions, but i feel like now, this type of slavery is getting worse with young adults. food has taken over people's lives, whether its journaling or taking bizarre medication to lose weight. It has an impact on everything and everyone. What is really upsetting is when something that is supposed to be a life source, could be the cause of death. My sister used to tell me about models who died because of not eating. Eating should be enjoyable and that is why on Jewish holidays and even secular holidays we eat food.

 We (as in people my age) should make it a goal to diminish and work to keep away eating disorders and body shame. But yet, we still  make fun of people calling people who are just plain skinny "anorexic" and on the opposite end of the spectrum saying "I am just going to eat my feelings". I am not saying that we should ban these phrases because banning them and making them socially derogatory makes things worse, we should just watch what we say to people. Words do really hurt and one could make the "people are just overly sensitive" argument, but we should just be sensitive to people and their own personal stories. Even I, the writer who has been sounding exceedingly preachy whilst writing this. I have made jokes and sadly hurt someone's feelings because I didn't know that it could hurt. Click here for what made me write this. 

<3 Jennie

On Being Single

This post could have been a valentines day type of post, but I feel like I should really say how I feel about this. I have been single since December, and I really feel like there are some blessings and curses about being a single lady. But the thing is, is that I personally don't mind being single anymore, and its kind of been the hot lava I've tried to avoid until  December when I made the decision to be single.
I  vowed to myself to not really blog about boy issues, thus me not going into detail about other reasons why/who I have dated in the past, but I think I should broach the issues as to why being single has been stigmatized.
We live in a society where being in relationships is a huge deal. We not only hear about elaborate wedding ceremonies of celebrities but also things like "look how cute so and so is..." or  "awwww they are such a cute couple". Ever since we are little children we feel pressured to fit this standard and meet prospective suitors, to the point where your parents see you with a boy/girl and think that you are dating, just because you are with the gender of your preference. I personally want to get married and have children in the future but there are so many people who look down on those who don't want to get married and have children in the future. Marriage is not for everyone,  romantic relationships are not for everyone and relations involving any sort of commitment are not for everyone.
Side note: Even premarital sex is still stigmatized in some areas, but gay marriage was not allowed for a really long time. On the complete opposite note, pre-marital sex has been almost glorified on television and has pressured teens to do so. We live in a very black and white society, even though a lot of our issues as humans are grey or whatever color besides black and white you choose.
Back to my point...There are a lot of these standards in society, where they expect us to fit this one size garment (the metaphorical garment AKA marriage or any other social norm) and some of us just cannot fit.
so, to all of those who push others to be in relationships: Please stop. If you are a real friend/family member etc, you would be supportive. Arranged marriages don't happen here in America.
Another thing: people really look down at single people. I know a lot of people who will deny that, but its society's dirty little secret. they spoon feed us these messages of having boyfriends and such at a very young age. Television shows with female protagonists having boyfriends and boyfriend issues, as well as teen quizzes in magazines making assumptions that boys like them. Its self esteem shattering, not only causes that, but also girls who are lesbians or bisexuals feel very confused and left out and very isolated.
So yeah, when you say forever alone, please remember that there are people who actually like being alone forever.
<3 Jennie