Three things of which I am not ashamed.
1.) I am a recovering anorexic and bulimic.
Sometimes – although very rarely now – after I finish eating a meal, a little voice inside my head tells me to throw everything up.
Sometimes – although very rarely now – after a week of rest, a little voice inside my head tells me that my inactivity has rendered me ugly and powerless.
Sometimes – although very rarely now – I feel as though my skin is itself crawling the length of my body, and that none of my clothes fit my frame.
Sometimes – although very rarely now – I’m afraid to leave the house for fear of others looking at me.
Sometimes it’s hard.
Every day it’s getting better.
2.) I firmly believe in the importance of first impressions.
Don’t get me wrong, I also believe in second chances, but nothing leaves a mark like an awkward or obnoxious round one in, shall we say, the boxing ring of life.
And in the end, after the bell has run twice, if I still don’t warm to you, I’m probably not going to stick around and try to play-act nice.
I’ll probably just punch your lights out.
(I kid, I kid.)
I mean, I’m not going to treat you like a right-arse, or anything to that effect – I will be polite, or professional, or formal (or a combination of all three), but then I’ll get the heck out.
Plus, if I don’t dig your style, you probably don’t dig mine. It’s a mutual thing, right? It’s not me, it’s you – and vice versa.
I fight tooth and nail for those that I love (in said boxing ring of life), and I put a ton of energy into championing them and their causes. As such, I would prefer to invest my time and resources into helping those individuals.
I am finally at a place in my life where I have stopped completely wrecking myself over what others think of me (I am now known to only marginally wreck myself.)
And I’d like to keep going down this path.
3.) I love, LOVE pop music.
I sing along to Carly Rae Jepsen ALL THE DAMN TIME. On repeat.
I like Robyn.
I like Lady Gaga.
I like LMFAO.
(Seriously, everyday I’m shuffling.)
I love cheesey, dance-crazy, pump-up-the-radio-and-SING music.
(I like other music too, but come summertime? GIVE ME BEATS THAT MAKE MY FEET TAPA-TAP-TAP AND TEETH ACHE FROM A SUGARY SYRUP OVERLOAD.)
And if you ever pull up next to me in your car, at some random stoplight, betwixt the months of June and August?
You’ll see.
There’s no power in the ‘verse can stop me.
Rant and Roll 
I also find myself randomly singing to Call Me Maybe! :)
All. The. Gosh. Darned. Time!
Just some of the things that make you who you are – a badass intelligent and beautiful woman! You rock! Or pop I guess? ;)
Awww, thanks love! I like to surround myself with equally badass, amazing folks – though it’s too bad that some are halfway round the world! ;)
I identify with each of your points, though can’t say that I am totally unashamed of my experiences with bulimia. I am still learning, growing and accepting that part of me, but one day I hope to be where you are. I’m still learning about the world, one step at a time… One day I can say I wasn’t born a Shepherd. ;)
I completely understand. It’s all about the process and the journey – one that I take a new step on every single day of my life.
As long as we keep working at it, we’re all bound to get there someday.
xx
Loving your post – thanks for sharing:) Have a Great Night!
Thanks Ms. R! Have a fab, fab day yourself :)
xx
Great post, LOVE the end quote. River all the way!
YES! So glad you got it :) Your reward is a life-time supply of Oaty Bars!
You’re amazing!! I feel the exact same about pop music – puts an instant smile on my face :)
As are you madame! Some of my favourite pop music dance marathons happened working with you and all the rad ladies at PA!
This makes me smile big. I love it, and you! It’s beautifully honest and unapologetically who you are! I’m with you on the pop beats, by the way – it’s the best kind of summer music!
Awww, lady, you too bring the magic and always, always bring a grin to my face.
Shall we have a dance party when we finally meet up?
xx
Ethel, thank you for sharing. I just love your blog and your honesty.
Thank you so much. The feeling is completely mutual!
xx
Thank you. :)
You’re so awesome, I love each and every post I’ve read so far and I admire how easily you make people smile, when you write you make it look so simple to spill your mind. You may have been anorexic and bulimic but that doesn’t stop you from being that sparky person you are.
I relate to you on the point of first impressions, in real life and in movies especially. Pop and I are friends too :)
I don’t know how to put the rest of what I have to say in words, my friend, but I will say to you keep on shining Ethel! Cuz you’re a star :D
Thanks Ms. D! You too never fail to bring a big ol’ smile to my face :)
hanks for sharing and being so open and honest with this post. We all have sensitivities based on things that have happened in the past. I’m glad you’re strong enough to wear these experiences like badges of honour!
As for POP MUSIC…I’m that one rolling past you in my car blasting Carly Rae outta my Bose System sayin ‘F**k yeah, that’s Carly blasting like it’s hip hop from my speakers!’
LMFAO are musical genius’.Anyone who says otherwise don’t appreciate music. End. Of. Story.
Ms. B! So nice to see you – we’ve missed you around these here parts!
Thank you for such a lovely comment and I am so glad to have another pop partner in crime.
We’re sexy and we know it!
xx