13 Reasons to Fly

We are very excited to announce a new initiative 13 Reasons to Fly is spearheading called the My Body Project. The goal of the My Body Project is to increase self confidence of individuals as well as promoting positive body image through social media. Often times, we use social media to compare ourselves to others or to degrade ourselves because we don’t look like ______. Why don’t we change that? It’s not easy, and self esteem is complex but we have the power to make a change. We have the power to spread body positivity. It’s time we stop expecting perfection out of ourselves. It’s time we lift each other up and celebrate our differences!! The My Body Project is founded to do just that.

To show how real and important this is to me, I will be honest about where I was inspired to start this. I was at the Doctors recently, discussing my eating disorder, and my doctor referenced how society certainly doesn’t help any of these issues. Obviously, this wasn’t the first time I’d thought about this; I actually often think about the way society works and how mental illness is effected negatively because of the expectations the world places on us. But, we have the power to shift those expectations. Why don’t we turn our insecurities into something beautiful. I will be doing this with you all, through my recovery and treatment of my ED, I will lean on the My Body Project to try and accept and celebrate the imperfect way I am and the way I look. Approximately 10 million people suffer from an eating disorder. While we can’t make this go away, we can start to help.

How this is going to work: I ask that all of you follow the My Body Project page and follow the steps there. Through this process, you will be prompted to challenge negative thoughts, celebrate your imperfections, and promote body positivity on social media.

Just like recovery, this initiative is new and a work in progress. Please be patient as we figure out what works, what doesn’t and how to get this started! Also, while it makes it more real that I am going through this with you all it does add some challenges!

You are beautiful just the way you are! It’s time we start believing this and spreading this!!

Attended the Young Women in Excellence Breakfast this morning! So honored to be invited and featured in their presentation. Met so many strong women this morning! Thank you so much to Youth Villages for hosting- your services help me on a daily basis. Great to learn more about the intensive, family based treatment they offer to me and so many others. Great start to the morning, I was in awe of all the inspiring stories, philosophies and novels. I am so grateful to have had this oppurtunity to make new connections, be inspired, and spread the word! Truly so many excellent women- and men:)

Lucky to have such great supports through this process:)

So grateful to connect with First Lady of the Commonwealth, Mrs. Baker! She and I met months ago in connection with Project 351 and her own nonprofit Wonderfund: two amazing organizations for youth.

Honored to sit alongside you as young people that have suffered greatly but have found the support they needed from Youth Villages. Darilyn, beyond amazed by you, your story, and your progress.

Without you, I wouldn’t be here today, thanks for inspiring me day in and day out.

We have recently put together a video that is hopefully easier to hear and understand! Sorry about that inconvenience, I am certainly not a technology or media whiz. That being said, couldn’t have done this without the guy that put this all together, Seth Robinson! Let’s spread this wherever you may be! The change starts with you!

What a great day!! SO lucky to have had the oppurtunity to come and start the first official chapter of 13 Reasons to Fly at Worcester’s Continuing Care Units!  I have never met a more supportive and welcoming group of staff, residents, and families. Thank you so much to Caroline McGrath, Jen and the whole team at CCU, this day was amazing because of you guys! Great to hear peoples reasons and feedback! Our journey and work has officially begun! First step into spreading the message(: Spent the day with some pretty amazing people!

If you went today but didn’t get a tshirt or even if you weren’t there and would like a tshirt I have set up a group order form!! Thank you in advance!

If you’d like to be the next program 13 Reasons to Fly comes to feel free to reachout (13reasonstofly@gmail.com)! We want to spread our message to as many people that are willing to hear it!

Super excited!! Had an absolutely amazing time at the Building Bridges Initiative Conference. I am so grateful to have had this oppurtunity to speak on behalf of youth receiving residential services. I met so many great people doing great work.. keep it up!!! I also am so thankful to everyone who talked to me or wrote down their information ( I tried emailing those I could but please reach out if I haven’t done so already! ) Can’t wait to bring this thing nation wide- or to your program/ school!

Overall a great day, thank you to Beth Caldwell, Janice Label, Bryan Lary and many more!