Superficial Addictions

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Have you ever had one? I have. More than one, actually, and it's not something I'm exactly proud of. Maybe you can't be seen without make-up on, or you just have to have your nails done at all times. Maybe you have to wear a certain style of clothing at all times, or you have to do your hair a certain way.

Personally, my problem started in seventh grade with make-up and a hair straightening iron. Doesn't really sound too bad, right? Well, the problem is that I wouldn't go out of the house without eye liner on and without my hair completely straight. When I was thirteen.

Eating Disorders

What do you think of when you hear those words? Maybe some names of eating disorders, unhealthily skinny people, models, or possibly a close friend. What immediately pops into your head when you think of causes of eating disorders? I bet one is media. (And media is a cause.) That's probably one of the most common explanations, so I'll start with that.

Many people see supermodels' bodies as "perfect" or "ideal." However, the chance of anyone actually being that thin is 1/100. Seems pretty unlikely to me. If you're feeling pressured to look like a typical model, (who has a "normal" body) you shouldn't. They actually weigh more than 20% less than the average person. And good luck on getting as thin as a runway model; the chances of being that thin are less than 1/10. (I have nothing against models, by the way.) I'm not saying this to crush anyone's dreams, but rather to discourage people from feeling the need to be that thin. Isn't it just a little ridiculous, not to mention unhealthy, to strive to be that thin? Especially if doing so is going to cause you to develop an eating disorder. (Here's a good article.)