Chin-up excercises to make the world a better place

Live in eating disorder world, even as a loving bystander, and the world changes.



Years of thinking about eating disorders and body image and weight have left me staring at bodies. I now have a highly disordered tenderness toward everyone. I see an exposed clavicle and I worry. I see a bulge and I worry. "Is it a symptom?" "Is it natural or is it illness?" "Is she comparing herself to others?" "Is he self-conscious?"



I never used to do this. I hate it. It's exhausting.



So I've developed a new exercise: "Chin-ups." I consciously look at everyone from the chin, up. I treat the area below the chin as private and none of my business. I started doing this in airports. I'm working on magazine covers, T.V., and one-on-one situations.



And wow, the benefits:

• I notice people's expressions, their emotions, their eyes.
• I make eye contact more often, and since I was trained to smile and nod slightly when you make eye-contact with strangers I now find myself smiling more and feeling friendlier.
• Hair: fascinating! And so expressive!
• I hold MY head up, and I feel better.
• I'm not worrying about people all the time, semi-consciously comparing them, measuring. I'm just enjoying my fellow humans.
• The number of times I think about my own body image has decreased.
• People-watching is fun again.

Do me a favor and try it, and let me know how it goes?