On October 31, 2008, I was just a girl grasping for hope.
I was struggling with disordered eating that still lingered despite my best efforts to beat it. I felt like I had made a lot of progress, but there was still a missing piece to my puzzle.
Self-love.
I fought a daily battle of self-acceptance, depressive thoughts, and anxiety. Despite the smile on the outside, most days I felt like I was crumbling on the inside. I was simply going through the motions of life and the days were passing me by. Indeed, I was truly thankful for so many wonderful people in my life, but the one thing I couldn’t be thankful for was myself.
I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to get to that place of self-acceptance or happiness, but I decided the first step was going to be writing about it.
And so it all began with a simple Boo on Halloween day!
I have always loved writing because it comes to me easier than expressing my thoughts out loud. It is just me and a keyboard or piece of paper talking to someone out there and thinking things through. Writing is a way for my inner voice to be heard when often it is silenced by all the thoughts swirling through my mind. Writing gives each thought a chance, each thought a moment to be heard and I often clear my mind or work things out as I write.
I guess this is why I was never meant to be a researcher. While I did spend most of my time writing in grad school, my writing was very very formal, scientific, and sterile in many ways. I felt suffocated when I wrote a research paper and I always felt like I couldn’t express my true self. In a paper, there was little room for jokes, sarcasm, stories, or occasional curse words (trust me, I could have used them many times!). It was all too structured.
I wanted to set my thoughts free.
Starting this blog was a way for me to have a creative outlet at a time when my creativity felt stifled in many areas of my life. OSG was the one place where I felt like I could express myself fully. I would simply write about what I wanted to write about, just like in my Creative Writing class in high school that I loved so much. My teacher had us make Creative Writing journals in high school and we could write whatever we wanted to in them. Personal stories, clippings, drawings, poems, deep thoughts, jokes, and anything that we wanted to share. I absolutely loved this journal and I would talk about my struggles with disordered eating, my love for delicious healthy food, animals, exercise, running, the desire for happiness, and whatever else I wanted to talk about.
Over the past two years, I have found that missing piece of self-love. Even on the days when I can’t find it and I am having a bad day, I know that it isn’t far away and it will come back to me. I have met amazing people along the way and I have been touched by the support and kindness of others.
Today, I write because I am truly thankful for these past two years, for sharing my life with you, the ups and the downs, and the discussions, inspiring words, and support. My hope for the blog going forward is to give back as much gratitude, love, and inspiration as I get from writing each day.
Thank you for letting me come into your lives each day and also, for allowing me to come into yours.
As a small token of my appreciation, I am going to do some giveaways!
1) Draw for $25 Glo Bakery gift certificates to be given out to 5 random people
2) Draw for a homemade batch of cookies, Glo bars, or muffins (any from my recipes page!) shipped to your doorstep.
3) Grand prize draw for $100 Glo Bakery gift certificate to one random winner
If you’d like a chance to be entered in the giveaway, please leave a comment below telling me anything about your own passions, journey, or perhaps something you have grown to love about yourself. Contest closes Monday Nov 8th.
I’m off to the kitchen to shoot my video for Challenge #7! Hopefully there aren’t as many flops as last night. ;) Happy Halloween!
Happy blogiversarry! I have grown to love that I actually have a figure now :)
Happy birthday OSG! You blog is my absolute favourite within the heathly living community due to your creativity and general silliness. You often inspire me to increase my creativity in my passion for baking and I thank you for all the great inspiration
Happy Birthday OSG!!
I’ve said it before but we seem to have gone through a similar path. It took me years to realize how I was treating my body and how it was a cover for my own issues of self-worth and lack of self-love. Over the last three years I’ve come to discover just how much I have to give to the world and in-so doing have decided to devote my life to helping others were much like ourselves discover their own potential!
I hope you have many more anniversaries to come, Angela!
I found your site a few months ago and have read through the majority of your archives because I love stepping into the lovely world you’ve created. I’d love a chance to sample some of your deliciousness, so here’ s my entry: I am still on my journey in trying to find what my passion really is. I have a good job, but not the kind where you wake up every morning excited to go to work. My husband and I are both on the path to finding what really makes us happy and step by step, I think we’ll get there…hopefully soon :)
Congrats on your two years! And, thank you for all that you share with us.
Happy blogiversary! (I love that word!) I love food and running. One of my favorite things is making food (especially baked goods) for others. There is nothing better than seeing the smiles on their faces when they eat (my) homemade goodies. I also have a passion for traveling and experiencing new places, people, and cultures. I love listening to stories and telling those and new stories. (Writing is another thing I love.) Oh, and I love love. I’m not in love (right now), but I love myself and my friends and family.
Happy Birthday! My own journey began 5 months ago. Since then I have lost 30 lb, I have gained a great appreciation for my body and myself, and I’m learning to love myself as much as others love me. I know my journey is not over yet, but I’m sure enjoying the ride! :)
I love the fact that I love food but don’t obsess over it anymore, thanks to great blogs like OSG! You have changed my life!
I’ve only been following your blog for a couple of months, but I absolutely love it and can relate to it on many levels.
I started my blog in June of 2009, when I was struggling with my eating disorder. I am now in a secure place in my recovery and I am finally feeling good about myself!
I have grown to care about myself enough to put myself first at times whereas in the past I would have sacrificed my own health to help others. I have set boundaries for how hard to work and appreciate the day-to-day things in life.
Congratulations on two incredible years!
Your blog has helped realize that eating healthy does not need to be a chore, expensive or taste like cardboard. You are an inspiration and thank you for writing so diligently and honestly.
I have begun to dedicate myself to a healthy lifestyle and I feel so much better physically and mentally. Thank you for everything you do to inspire me!
Congratulations on your 2nd Birthday.
I’ve followed your OSG journey for most of the last two years and not a day goes by that I don’t catch up on ‘what Angela is doing’. I feel like you are one of my daughters and I am so proud of your achievements-both personally and professionally!
Congratulations again from Australian shores!
Thanks Angela for your words, recipes, photos, and more. Happy birthday OSG!
Since becoming vegetarian and eventually vegan, I have gained a whole new perspective on food. I love discovering new recipes and finding ways to be healthy AND enjoy food more than ever before! My mom and I are both vegan, and we love spending time together in the kitchen or at the dinner table. :)
Happy Birthday! My vegan journey began in April, I have learned how to listen to my body for what it needs and doesnt need.
Happy 2nd birthday! I don’t blog, but I do credit Oh She Glows for a lot of my success in beating my disordered eating. I still struggle, but not as much, knowing that there are people out there like you who have overcome it!
Thanks!!
Happy Birthday OSG’s!
I just started reading your blog a few days ago. I really enjoy the blog and all the useful information. Fitness and Health are my passion. I thought I was eating healthy but recently realized it wasn’t as healthy as I thought!
Thank you!
Malinda
Happy 2nd!
My journey has had a few forks in the road lately – I keep trying to choose the right path – your style of writing is so enjoyable – thank you rather than you thanking us….and to many more blog anniversaries!
Sue (from CA)
Congratulations, Oh She Glows!
I only recently discovered your blog, but since then I read it everyday. I love your recipes and your beautiful photography. You are such a talented vegan chef!
I am also a Canadian vegan who struggled with disordered eating. Food/health blogs helped me so much in my recovery. I also learned (from blogs) how to properly exercise, cook, bake, and most importantly, how to eat!
BTW, your giveaway is AMAZING. You’re so kind!
Thank you so much for sharing what this blog means to you. Congratulations on everything you’ve accomplished – with your health, your self-perception and with this community you’ve created and contributed to. I come to OSG both to see what you’re cooking, and also to be reminded (on the days when i don’t feel so positive and loving) to be positive and loving. Your blog has had a significant impact on me – from being inspired to run an extra 1/2 or full mile on a random morning, to putting more of my personal voice in my own blog. I guess, in a way, OSG (and a few other blogs with the same brightness and spirit) has become part of this stage of my journey. So.. happy anniversary and thanks!
Happy Blog Birthday! I definitely agree about blogging as a way to let your inner creativity come out. I’ve always been into art, whether drawing, painting, or now through photography and I love how I can share that and connect with lots of different people every day!
My journey has been a long time coming. My mom never really cooked and was very obese. I never really learned the “right” way to eat myself, but I was always so active that it didn’t matter. I was able to maintain my weight by being a VERY active kid. I got to college and joined the rowing team. It wasn’t until the end of a very physically painful season, that I had to quit for medical reason, that it all caught up to me. I gained over 100 lbs in about 3 years. I found TheNest and started reading several blogs, including OSG, and it was amazing to see that other people have issues similar to mine, manifested in many different ways. In the last year I have lost 60lbs and have become so proud of the things my body can do again. My husband and I are both enjoying some wonderful and healthy foods and enjoy exercising again. So thank you for being part of my healthy journey (even though you didn’t know it)!