8,344 Days

Hello All, I pray you are nourishing your bodies, practicing daily peace, and giving yourself the benefit of the doubt no matter where you are in your journey.

I come to you all today with a realization I had that I believe all of you need to hear as well.

I have lived on this earth for 8,344 days. Which means 8,344 times my body has been able to wake up, walk, run, swim, jump, touch, breathe, and experience every kind of emotion in between.

For 8,344 days I have been able to live, and my body without fail, has allowed me to do so.

I started struggling with eating when I was in middle school, didn’t get diagnosed until I was in college, and still struggle with distorted thoughts around my appearance.

I am coming up on my 23rd birthday, which means over half my life I have woken up ungrateful about all my body has done for me. For half my life I have torn myself apart, hurt my body, neglected care, and wished I could have been in any other body than my own.

For half my life I have not praised God for all this body has done, but instead asked “why” I cannot be skinnier, prettier, and more than I am - more than He has created me to be.

I am sick at the thought that I have neglected all that I am for the prize possession title of one day being “Skinny” or “Beautiful...” It is as if those words are more meaningful than kind, hard working, generous, and God Fearing.

I know God has bigger plans for all of us than to feel trapped in a cycle of worrying about jean sizes, stretch marks, and crying in the mirror.

So, how do you want to be remembered? - because when beauty fades and age takes over and all that there is to be remembered is your soul - does anything else really matter?

8,344 days, but today can be the day you start fresh. Free of resentment, free of food restraint hell, free of society’s standards and into what God can mold you into being.

Now, if you’ve made it down to the end of this blog, all I ask if you read this question to yourself. Answer it honestly and without regret.

How many days have you lived in this body, and how many days have you been nice to it?

With Love,

Rach