Binge eating
Hey Em, I just opened up to friends about my binge eating disorder the same morning you mentioned you battled your BED during COVID. I'm ready to do the hard work to manage this. Can you please share your experience of accepting it as being a problem and the steps you took to take control? Did you address any psychological aspect of it? Love your work! X
U-G-L-Y
Dear Em, Michael, and Ben, So, here I am in my late 30s, re-entering the dating world after a long stint in "mum mode." I have enough self-esteem to fill a thimble, but somehow managed to snag a few boyfriends in my teens and twenties, probably due to the universally-appreciated asset of youth (and, let’s face it, a faster metabolism). But now? I’m realizing that in a world obsessed with looks, I’m not exactly winning the popularity contest, unless we're talking about gentlemen considerably further along the timeline. I’m still fun, though! I’ve got a whole playlist of quirky interests—think books, movies, crafting, trivia nights, you name it—and I come with the added charm of chronic illness, which keeps things unpredictable. But if there’s a line of people waiting to tell me I look hot or nice, I think they’re at the wrong address. As for clubs... let’s just say I’m invisible, but I’d like to think I make a fantastic ghost. I’ll admit, I’m starting to forget what human touch is like and have even considered hiring a SW just to remember the basics (not sure if that’s hilariously sad or just hilarious). Plastic surgery is out of my budget, so what’s left? In a world that swipes for looks, how do I find someone who actually appreciates personality? Any advice is welcome—because apparently, my charm works better in real life than in pixels.
Sensory hell would you rather. You’re welcome 😂
I’ll provide three options for you, as I’m super generous like that! 😂 Would you rather… A) Be followed for an entire week by a phantom orchestra that plays jarring, unpredictable music, reacting to your every move? If you turn too quickly, the violins screech like nails on a chalkboard. Too slow, and an off chord guitar string plays continuously. If you sit, the trombones play a low, ominous rumble. Even brushing your teeth sets off an anxious, off-key xylophone tune. The music follows your emotions and actions, amplifying stress and making you feel like the main character in a dark, absurd musical horror scene. It’s loud, constant, and impossible to tune out, making your life feel like an unhinged soundtrack. OR B) Be stuck for an entire week in a magical forest where every leaf emits an overwhelming, clashing scent whenever disturbed? The air is filled with a heavy fog of random fragrances: crushed pine needles that smell like menthol cough drops, flowers that release the nauseating scent of hot garbage, or mushrooms with an aroma of intense heavily sprayed cheap perfume. Every step you take rustles the plants and unleashes more scents, mingling into a pungent sensory cocktail that’s both intoxicating and revolting. The longer you stay, the harder it becomes to distinguish one overwhelming odour from the next. OR C) Wear an enchanted ‘itch blanket’ for an entire day, which makes your skin feel like it’s perpetually crawling with invisible bugs? No matter how much you scratch, the sensation never fully goes away, and it’s most intense on pressure points, like where the blanket touches your neck or arms. It comes with random bursts of heat, making it feel like you’re simultaneously being pricked by hot pins and tickled by thousands of phantom legs. The torment of constant, phantom itching is relentless, driving you to the brink of frustration. Ps - fellow AuDHD’er here. I also had a mild conniption when writing these, and can’t wait to hear you speak through them with your own sensory aversions 😂
Wicked Advice
Hi Em and team, Your love of Wicked is infectious and I’m really looking forward to seeing it. However, I’ve never seen the show before, I don’t really know the storyline either (sorry). My question is - I’m going to New York in April and I plan to see Wicked on Broadway. Should I see the Broadway show first before I see the movie? I don’t mind waiting to see the movie. Do you think it matters? Keep up the great work! Love Cassy