"All in all it was a pretty nice day..." Didn't do the City 2 Surf... did run 10kms at Sunset tonight. And by some miracle in the space of a week I'm back to only a minute off my best time 🤷‍♀️Grateful for the resilience my body has found in health and happiness 🙏🏻✨💪🏻 https://www.instagram.com/p/B1BHHenguk5/?igshid=3ufuat7wjx4v

This will forever be one of my favourite quotes ✨ And I think it's true, whether you're a writer or an artist or a dancer or just a human being living life. We are all teachers, and we are all being gifted lessons from everyone we come into contact with... even the people you least expect; even the things you really don't want to be shown. Learning is always a gift, no matter what form it takes ✨🙌🏻💕 https://www.instagram.com/p/B1A5a_0Ac24/?igshid=2szx24xjhwdq

WORLD EATING DISORDERS ACTION DAY 💜💜💜 Hence the purple filter. "EATING DISORDERS CAN'T AFFORD TO WAIT" It's estimated that worldwide, over 70 million people are affected by Eating Disorders. Eating Disorders have the HIGHEST MORTALITY RATE of any Psychiatric Illness... and yet, when treated early and correctly have the highest and fastest recovery rate. Simply put, this a problem we absolutely CAN CHANGE, it just requires greater action from governments and healthcare leaders. The heartbreaking reality, is so many people suffering are unable to seek the help they need. The 3 main reasons for this are: 1. Stigma - there's still such a huge stigma surrounding Mental Heth and asking for help. Many people suffering from Eating Disorders believe they aren't 'sick enough' or that certain disorders are more serious than others... EVERYONE is worthy of help, it is not a competition. 2. Financial costs. Although we have seen improvements in funding for Eating Disorder treatment, such as the Medicare scheme offering 40 Psych sessions per year, there is often still a big gap between what is covered and what is needed. The cost of inpatient hospital treatment is beyond the reach of many. There are currently only 37 adult hospital beds across the country for eating disorders, located in the state capitals, and no specialist services in regional areas. Not a single local health district or area has the necessary full continuum of care for eating disorders, and most do not have access to the necessary range of medical professionals for treatment. 3. Access to appropriate treatment. As stated above, in many places there simply aren't the services available. Many people are forced to travel interstate or overseas to receive adequate treatment but this simply isn't possible for everyone. I'm one of the lucky ones, I was able to access treatment and claim my life back and I'm eternally grateful for that. HOWEVER I can't deny it came at a huge cost. Both financially and emotionally, impacting both myself, and friends and family. I lost the best part of 2 decades of my life to Anorexia; the cost of treatment over that period would be in the $100,000's of dollars (Cont'd) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByMReSEgtx_/?igshid=13ghsf5fhj3if

S K Y O N F I R E 🌅 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs5KIbdg54h/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=f0oyb947abui

For the past week thoughts, and feelings have been igniting a fire of words burning to be expressed. Content warning as I attempt to shine some light into the dark: Discussion of violence against women and sexual assault. Last week I watched the 1st half of the Surviving R Kelly Docuseries. Why? I couldn't not. Although I knew it would bring up anger and sadness and so many other emotions, these women have stories that need to be told and heard and felt, and that anger needs to translate into actions. To me, the most shocking part of it all was the fact this has been going on, these stories have existed for decades and basically been ignored. R Kelly's use of power, manipulation and emotional abuse is sadly all too familiar, my heart ached for the young girls and women he preyed upon. But overwhelmingly I was angry that this has been allowed to go on and on and on for so long. People knew, and chose to do nothing. On Friday night I read about the horrific murder of Aiia Masarwe. It stopped me in my tracks. I'll be honest, I frequently walk around by myself late and night, and whilst I'm sometimes hyper aware, generally I feel safe. Maybe this is because I know, statistically, the majority of violence against women occurs behind closed doors, perpetrated by people known to the victim. Perhaps it's because I've lived through these experiences and reclaimed my life refusing to live in fear... What hit home was the fact that as women, we are never completely safe anywhere. It doesn't matter how careful you are, you can follow every safety tip known, but it doesn't guarantee you anything. Aiia Masarwe was attacked whilst on the phone to her sister, walking along a main road half a kilometre from her home. Violence a ainst women occurs wherever someone chooses to commit it. What we need to get clear on is this: Women are not raped or murdered because of the clothes they wear. Women are not raped or murdered because of how much they choose to drink or where they choose to go out. Women are not raped or murdered because of the choices they made travelling home or where they live. Women are raped and murdered because another person CHOSE to rape and/or murder. Cont'd https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs2SF-OAmD4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=lvp2gzsvyoov

2018 has been one of the best years of my life. It's been a year that rarely *felt* difficult... in reality it's been filled with change and challenges... and this is the benefit of growth. This is the silver lining that comes from year after year that almost destroyed me - but didn't. This is resilience. And it makes me so grateful for every single one of those tough years. If this hasn't been your year, trust me when I say it's only preparing you for brighter days ahead. “For a seed to achieve its greatest expression, it must come completely undone. The shell cracks, its insides come out and everything changes. To someone who doesn't understand growth, it would look like complete destruction.” - Cynthia Occelli 2018 has been the year I've opened myself up... to love, to opportunity, to life and whatever the universe brought me. I've said, done, thought, and felt things I NEVER thought I would or could. And it hasn't always been easy or certain or successful... but it's been exactly what I needed. And I'm so grateful for everyone on this journey with me. Beyond excited for 2019!!! https://www.instagram.com/p/BsCsOVhgn50/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1bfvewu3g35lc