I appreciate you reminding us of the ways anti-fat bias impacts all of us, plus and straight sized. Although fat people (especially the largest of us) experience more marginalization, it doesn’t mean smaller folks aren’t also being oppressed under these ideals. Thanks for sharing, and from one chronic illness sufferer to another, I’m glad you’re starting to feel better!
I’m always a bit nervous to click on an article about thinness but this was such an honest and thoughtful piece, I really enjoyed it. I’ve also struggled with chronic illness for the past three years including a very restrictive diet for parts of it and relate hard to a lot of this <3
Listen I get it - the discourse has been discoursing and I know my experiences won't resonate with everyone but I'm always grateful when someone feels a little bit seen/heard ❤️
Remember #GJWW7, where everyone was invited to relax into their skin and take up space? Where everyone smiled easily and every body was welcome? I still have my BrandiBubble bracelet on as a reminder that that love is real and I qualify for inclusion.
I really like this post. I have chronic illnesses, too. I also resonate with the medical drug part of this because I’m also on one for one of my conditions. And I’m fat (self-identified as such). It can be really hard to truly love yourself and your body as it is. I’m sorry you went through this and thank you for speaking up about fatphobia. I saw you on tour in Boston btw! :) you’re epic.
“I promised myself that if I was able to live in a body that worked, I would appreciate it regardless of the size.”
Beautiful, vulnerable, earnest writing as always. Really struck a chord with me as someone who has had an eating disorder for most of my life—I’m finally in recovery in a real way, and this is the thing I keep coming back to on the days where it’s appealing to restrict again: I need to appreciate my body and the gifts it affords me, and I need to remember how much better it feels to wake up every day and allow it to carry me healthily and heartily as I continue to take care of it. Some days, as you know, are harder than others. Thank you for writing and sharing this and making today one of the easier days in doing so.
so beautiful Jensen! You capture that feeling of knowing you're too old to hate your body like that and still wanting to look different. Haven't been able to put that into words myself, thank you <3
i also went from being underweight to gaining weight as a result of chronic illness medication and i feel so seen by this post. you perfectly encapsulated the conflict between having more energy and enjoying food more on the one hand, versus feeling alienated by society’s standards on the other hand. i’m so happy for you that you get to enjoy your favourite foods again 🫶🏼
thank you so much for this jensen!! i was also fortunate to be put on a miracle drug for my own chronic illness about two years ago, it wasn’t a cure by any means, i still use a wheelchair full time and will probably continue to for the rest of my life, but the medicine has been incredible in taming symptoms and halting the progression of my illness. i feel like because it doesn’t look like it to the outside world, it’s often easy for me to lose sight of the fact that my body is currently the healthiest it’s ever been. throughout the years, learning to love and take care of a body that does not always love me back has been the hardest things i’ve ever had to do but it has been incredibly crucial especially as i take this medicine, thank you for reminding me that that also extends to how i talk to her!! so happy happy for you and sending you so much love as you continue to embark on your healing journey ❤️🩹
Thank you Jensen for sharing this and your intentionality around it. It’s inspiring. Really felt that as a 28 year old that the same old thoughts are circular and boring. Trying to get out of it as I’m on stage more too. Thank you for speaking this out into the world— am standing with you trying to do the same
“Chronic illness taught me the value of resilience and patience and gratitude for small victories.” and I am so grateful for this lesson everyday. More gratitude is one of the greatest gifts chronic illness can give us, even with so much struggle, because it means more joy! Thank you for this, Jensen.
"a well-fed, free body is a gift" Here's to healing, wholeness, and fullness. 🩷
Absolutely ❤️
You are such a gorgeous writer in every medium
my heart 😭❤️
I appreciate you reminding us of the ways anti-fat bias impacts all of us, plus and straight sized. Although fat people (especially the largest of us) experience more marginalization, it doesn’t mean smaller folks aren’t also being oppressed under these ideals. Thanks for sharing, and from one chronic illness sufferer to another, I’m glad you’re starting to feel better!
I’m always a bit nervous to click on an article about thinness but this was such an honest and thoughtful piece, I really enjoyed it. I’ve also struggled with chronic illness for the past three years including a very restrictive diet for parts of it and relate hard to a lot of this <3
Listen I get it - the discourse has been discoursing and I know my experiences won't resonate with everyone but I'm always grateful when someone feels a little bit seen/heard ❤️
just to be clear, my comment was not meant as a criticism, I just wanted to say that I think you handled a difficult topic really well <3
Remember #GJWW7, where everyone was invited to relax into their skin and take up space? Where everyone smiled easily and every body was welcome? I still have my BrandiBubble bracelet on as a reminder that that love is real and I qualify for inclusion.
The Bramily is the best ❤️
I really like this post. I have chronic illnesses, too. I also resonate with the medical drug part of this because I’m also on one for one of my conditions. And I’m fat (self-identified as such). It can be really hard to truly love yourself and your body as it is. I’m sorry you went through this and thank you for speaking up about fatphobia. I saw you on tour in Boston btw! :) you’re epic.
Thank you so much for reading and sharing ❤️
Miracle drug** typo!
Thank you for sharing this! As someone who has also struggled with being underweight due to chronic illness, so much of this resonates!
“I promised myself that if I was able to live in a body that worked, I would appreciate it regardless of the size.”
Beautiful, vulnerable, earnest writing as always. Really struck a chord with me as someone who has had an eating disorder for most of my life—I’m finally in recovery in a real way, and this is the thing I keep coming back to on the days where it’s appealing to restrict again: I need to appreciate my body and the gifts it affords me, and I need to remember how much better it feels to wake up every day and allow it to carry me healthily and heartily as I continue to take care of it. Some days, as you know, are harder than others. Thank you for writing and sharing this and making today one of the easier days in doing so.
so beautiful Jensen! You capture that feeling of knowing you're too old to hate your body like that and still wanting to look different. Haven't been able to put that into words myself, thank you <3
i also went from being underweight to gaining weight as a result of chronic illness medication and i feel so seen by this post. you perfectly encapsulated the conflict between having more energy and enjoying food more on the one hand, versus feeling alienated by society’s standards on the other hand. i’m so happy for you that you get to enjoy your favourite foods again 🫶🏼
thank you so much for this jensen!! i was also fortunate to be put on a miracle drug for my own chronic illness about two years ago, it wasn’t a cure by any means, i still use a wheelchair full time and will probably continue to for the rest of my life, but the medicine has been incredible in taming symptoms and halting the progression of my illness. i feel like because it doesn’t look like it to the outside world, it’s often easy for me to lose sight of the fact that my body is currently the healthiest it’s ever been. throughout the years, learning to love and take care of a body that does not always love me back has been the hardest things i’ve ever had to do but it has been incredibly crucial especially as i take this medicine, thank you for reminding me that that also extends to how i talk to her!! so happy happy for you and sending you so much love as you continue to embark on your healing journey ❤️🩹
Thank you Jensen for sharing this and your intentionality around it. It’s inspiring. Really felt that as a 28 year old that the same old thoughts are circular and boring. Trying to get out of it as I’m on stage more too. Thank you for speaking this out into the world— am standing with you trying to do the same
“Chronic illness taught me the value of resilience and patience and gratitude for small victories.” and I am so grateful for this lesson everyday. More gratitude is one of the greatest gifts chronic illness can give us, even with so much struggle, because it means more joy! Thank you for this, Jensen.
amazing <333 thank you so much for sharing
I love this Jensen ❤️ thank you for sharing
A gift indeed! You deserve all the health, all the time, I'm so happy for you !