Buy Walking VideosPostSecret: Rather Fat Than Dead
This postcard from PostSecret feels vaguely sinister to me. There have been times when I’ve contemplated suicide because of my weight and eating issues. Looking back at those times, it seems ludicrous that I would even think about offing myself just because of fat, but when I was in those dark times, it made perfect sense.
Just seeing this postcard reminds me that there are other people out there who are so desperate to get thin that they would be willing to take harmful drugs, indulge in purging, or even resort to suicide because of the simple shape of their bodies. I KNOW that they are out there because I remember feeling that way myself.
What can I tell you?
Do I have a perfect body now? Nope. Have I ever had that perfect little body? I don’t think so. Do I still want to die because of it?
Hell, no.
What would I tell that Laura from so long ago to keep her from killing herself because she’s not as thin as her popular friends?
Hold on. Don’t do it. Wait a few years and see if you feel better. Plus, if you try to kill yourself and you fail, you might end up horribly scarred, brain damaged or in a position where you won’t have another chance to kill yourself. It’s safer just to muscle through this.
I promise, there will come a day in which you are infinitely grateful you decided that you’d rather be fat than dead.
PostSecret‘s beneficiary is the National Hopeline Network. It is a 24-hour hotline (1 (800) SUICIDE) for anyone who is thinking about suicide or knows someone who is considering it.
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July 20th, 2006 at 8:14 pm
I don’t think the link between suicide and being fat is that easily and directly linked. Usually there are reasons why people overeat and gain too much weight, of which we are not always aware of.I know I eat when I am feeling blue. Killing oneself because one is fat is probably more of a simply explanation of why one wants to kill themself. The underlying reason for suicide is far more complex in my opinion :). Being fat is most likely just the tip of the iceberg of the reason why someone would do that.
July 22nd, 2006 at 12:54 am
Laura I am sorry to hear you felt that way.
Also there’s those who kill themselves with diet drugs and deadly diets to get thin. I’d rather be healthy than fat or thin. My body isn’t perfect. I love myself loose skin and all. I was prone to loose skin when I had less to lose as well.