Today, I woke up and looked in the mirror, and I didn’t hate what I saw. This may not seem like a big deal to you, but for me, it’s revolutionary. I’ve been trained my entire life to hate myself. Words from well-meaning family members to bullies have conditioned me into thinking I’m not good enough. Childhood bullies called me everything from Shrek to … Read More Learning to Love Myself: A Success Story
It’s been a year and a half since my last entry. I didn’t want to write a new post until I had made some progress in my self-love journey. And I have to say: it’s been a ride. Unfortunately, I don’t have big revelations for you. I can’t tell you that I finally figured out how to love myself fully or that I look … Read More Learning to Love Myself: Part Three
On the journey towards loving myself TW: body dysmorphia, disordered eating, talks of weight loss First of all, I want to say thank you for the overwhelming support I received on my last post about learning to love myself. I am so sorry so many of you could resonate with my stories of bullying but I feel so honored that a few of you … Read More Learning to Love Myself Part Two: Baby Steps
My journey towards loving myself and the events that got me here.
This year has been hard. I know I’m not the first person to say that, and I definitely won’t be the last. In a year that’s done nothing but prod and poke and break, I want to take a moment to focus on the inexplicable joys of being alive. These are the little things. The moments in life when you think: “Thank god I’m … Read More The inexplicable joys of being alive
*TW for mentions of body dysmorphia and weight loss/gain. I have body dysmorphia. When my therapist confirmed my self-diagnosis a few months ago, during our third session, I have to be honest and say I felt relieved. I thought that hearing the words “body dysmorphia” coming out of the mouth of a licensed psychologist would wreck me but no. At that moment, I finally … Read More I Have Body Dysmorphia
I'm Tess. In 2016, I decided to leave behind my job, my friends, my life in NYC to start a new one in Zurich, Switzerland.
This blog catalogues my adventures in love, life as an expat, and solo female travel.
