Thankful Thursday-02/02/14-Rachel (Sia Jane) Drawing Mind

Thursday-29/11/12-Thankful Thursday-Rachel

This week we end the rota by looking at Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
I discuss how it is something we are not always aware of "suffering" from, and it is also something that may go undiagnosed.
I discuss my experiences with trauma and trauma therapy and what I feel I gained from it.
Excellent article on the compulsion to repeat the trauma.

http://www.cirp.org/library/psych/vanderkolk/

An excellent book covering traumatic stress on mind, body and society.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Traumatic-Stress-Effects-Overwhelming-Experience/dp/1...

Friday - 16/11/12 - Rachel - Dealing with a Crisis

This week we are looking at "crisis" points.
I am not experienced in some of the things they may be, such as natural disasters.
I do talk about a "crisis" mental health period.
I also reflect on my dads redundancy and how that "crisis" impacted us as a family.
I willl go on next week to discussing changing schools during that time which is our topic (I think!)

Thankful Thursday - 08/10/12 -Rachel - Loss of Support

This can be loss of support after being in hospital, a best friend moving away, losing family support, moving therapists, therapeutic relationships terminating etc
I discuss my personal story with such things. They many concern losing support after being in hospital or a therapist.

Sunday with Rachel - Looking at surrounding ourselves with positive peop...

Today, I know it is Sunday!! I wanted to upload the last video for this rota. Having positive people in our lives is crucial to not only our recovery but general wellbeing. Just because a person is a friend or a good person doesn't always mean they are positive. For example if someone is ill, this can negatively effect you without them being a negative person.
siajanewords.blogspot.com

Thursday-25/10/12 - Thankful Thursday - Rachel - A Body Revolution - Per...

This week we look at "flaws"
Not a word I like as I think it keeps the cycle of self hatred towards the body going, but nonetheless, it is a work we use towards ourselves and it is a word that is circulated when we think about body image.
I don't see our "flaws" as that, I see them as markers, as part of us.
I discuss that in this video.

siajanewords.blogspot.com

Monday with Rachel - 22/10/12 - A Body Revolution - Comparisons

This week I discuss making comparisons and building a sense of self without needing validation and a need to feel good enough.
I discuss my personal struggle with comparisons and how I managed them.
Remember, to love the YOU that YOU are.

Thursday-11/10/12- Thankful Thursday-Rachel-A Body Revolution - Insecuri...

This week we are looking at tackling insecurities.
Following the launch of A Body Revolution 2013 by Lady Gaga, the videos are inspired by some of the issues that have led to such a concept.
For more information find information:

https://twitter.com/ABodyRevolution
https://www.facebook.com/LGABODYREVOLUTION13?ref=ts&fref=ts
http://littlemonsters.com/#abodyrevolution
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Csw0tyamcdo

Thursday-27/09/12-Thankful Thursday- Rachel- Personal means of coping in...

How did I cope in my recovery from Anorexia?
My coping mechanisms and those I have heard from others I work with.

Thursday-20/09/12-Thankful Thursday-Rachel-Personal Recovery Challenges

Personal challenges in recovery including associations with a healthy body, identity, self acceptance and sexuality.

Thursday-06/09/12-Thankful Thursday-Rachel-Who are YOU today!

Finally a video from the team.
I will be continuing this.
I also want to say that the group has continued to run with success and I just hope the resources here cane help as many people as possible.
Remember you can find me @ siajanewords.blogspot.com

Time Out!

Hey,

I just want you guys to know (whoever may read this!) that I have taken time out from Eating Disorder/mental health work, advocacy and such.
It is nothing personal per se, it is more about just seeing what else there is.
I love working in the field and it gives me so much working with others and showing them they can TRULY recover and fully recover at that.
I have stopped my You Tube videos for now, and the only real activity I have is with this HOPE group.

If any one is interested, please still feel free to contact me at siajanewords@gmail.com

Take care xoxo

Thursday - 10/05/12 - Thankful Thursday - Rachel - Overcoming Over Exerc...

This week I round up last weeks video too.
I discuss the role of over exercise within Eating Disorders and how compulsive over exercise is addictive and damaging, both physically and mentally.
I talk about the need to maybe take "time out" for a while, but to also maybe engage in moderation.
In recovery we may wish to "do exercise" but it doesn't have to be a forced thing that we feel guilty for should we not.
We can actually enjoy it; like going to dance classes with friends which is both social, good for you mood wise, and something that keeps you fit emotionally and physically.

Thursday- 26/04/12 - Thankful Thursday - Rachel - Sport, Personality Tra...

YES!! I PAUSE MOST OF THE WAY THROUGH but the SPEECH IS CLEAR. 
Imagine it as a pod cast as it were :)

siajanewords@gmail.com

This week I link both the nature of sport and personality traits and how they are used in sport and can also be traits of Eating Disorders.
I then discuss over exercise and how this is linked to Eating Disorders and how that can be managed.

Monday - 09/04/12 - Marvelous Monday - Rachel - Building Self Identity U...

siajanewords.blogspot.com


This is the third week on Identity.
1) Identity and Sexuality
2) Identity and Emotional Absue

And this week 3) Identity and Therapy.

Therapy can provide a significant means of building self identity.
It can help us restore, reclaim and rebuild who we are.
Illness, Eating Disorders, mental health difficulties, trauma, loss can all cause a person to literally crumble.
The point of therapy is to initially stabilise us, and then after this, to help us build and understand who we are without the illness.
Who we are as a person and how we interact with the world.
The things that make us *us* and the things we love.
Ultimately, I believe, such a process can lead to a full sense of self that is both confident and secure, within who they are and how they appear.

Sunday- 01/04/12- Smashing Sunday - Rachel - Impact of Emotional Abuse o...

Sorry for the late upload!!
Back at siajanewords.blogspot.com
Check out Lynn Crilly's book which is out tomorrow; "Hope with Eating Disorders" for you and your loved ones.
A very easy read and full of amazing information.
It will help you understand boundaries around how hard caring for a loved on can be.
Also check out "Stop Walking on Egg Shells" which will help you understand the boundaries which can filter away and turn into emotionally abusive behaviour.
Note; I talk about behaviour as just because someone acts in emotionally abusive ways, it does not mean they *are* an abusive person.
It means their illness needs boundaries

Thursday-22/03/12- Thankful Thursday- Rachel- Identity and Sexuality

This week we start a rota on IDENTITY!
Today I look at sexuality and identity.

The realization, acceptance, and coming out (publicly and privately)
Coming out allows one to be who they truly are and establishes an integrated sense of self. Why this is important? Challenges? Worries? Concerns about what family/friends may think. 

Inspiration for Recovery ♥

"Open your eyes, you can fly."

~Elena Kalis~

Last week the Werfreedomfighters team did a collection of videos on healthy role models, recovery, inspiration and the value of those relationships in recovery and in life really.

I didn't get chance to make a video, but this is a topic that always interests me and always makes me want to share my thoughts and feelings on it all.

The above image is by the wonderful Elena Kalis and is just perfect for the depiction of freedom and letting go.

Recovery and health are really the two things that allow us to live our lives to the best of our capacity and also in a way that brings out the best in us and in those around us.

Recovery and health can however appear to be elusive creatures.

Often within the Eating Disorder arena, we are told that true recovery doesn't exist.

That if a person is to recover, then they were never really *that* ill.

There is often a lot of jealousy and envy wrapped into Eating Disorders and that can be implemented and acted out in sickness and in health.

I am one of those who believes in full and complete recovery.

I believe I not only have achieved that, I also believe that in achieving that, I can, as it were, be a role model for that possibility.

I am far from alone.

I know many of wonderful, amazing and inspiring men and women who have fully recovered.

In fully recovering, many have gone on to be advocates in mental health and Eating Disorders.

Some are activists, some are grass route campaigners, some volunteer, some run charities, some are training to be a professional in the field.

There are numerous ways we can make a difference to those in recovery and to those who are struggling.

Often by engaging ourselves in positive activism, advocacy and awareness, we reaffirm just what we too are capable of.

In acting as a mentor, peer or role model for another, we also act as one for ourselves.

I know most who take the position of mentor, or recovery worker or facilitator are doing so with their heart.

They do it because they are choosing to make a difference.

In making a difference they act as angels of hope.

They fill others with strength, courage, support, belief, endurance and motivation.

I have discussed role models a few times whilst being part of the team. 

In this video I look at;

Who are the women that have most influenced you in your life? Describe the characteristics they have not related to appearance. What makes them special? How can we use this to understand that our value is also not based on body size and shape?

My videos often tell you how to recover, this one shares a little in the why !

"Asking why recover? Is like asking a seed, why grow?"

Not my quote but one that has always stuck in my head.
Recovery is on going, and yet, with persistence can and does, allow fully recovery to be achieved. I am living proof of that.
Recovery is enduring, hard and exhausting.
It will be the hardest thing you ever do.
BUT it is so worth it. 

Click here for why.

And here are two videos that also discuss why recovery is so worth it.

Part one.

Part two.

Thursday- March 1st - Thankful Thursday - Rachel - Self-Injury Awareness...

siajnewords.blogspot.com

This is the second week of EDAW 2012 and so the videos will keep coming.
I will do my usual video tomorrow looking at breaking the silence with Eating Disorders.

However, today is MARCH 1st and SELF-INJURY AWARENESS DAY
So today I pledge to break the silence by discussing my experience with self harm.
I talk openly and honestly about my struggles and most essentially, the fact I FULLY recovered from such behaviours.

Speak out.
Use your voice.
Set yourself free.

Thursday-23/02/12 - Thankful Thursday - Rachel - Throw the Diagnosis Out...

siajanewords.blogspot.com

EDAW 2012 Break The Silence

This week is EDAW and this video is all about asking you to let go of the thought of a diagnosis, or what someone with an Eating Disorder typically looks like, and to focus on you and what you feel.
You may be trying to speak out for the first time, or you may be in recovery and relapsing and are scared of letting people know for fear of disappointment.
The point of this video is that YOU matter and how you FEEL matters and not what label you may or may not be.

Beat
Body Gossip 
Hungry for Change