"My choose yourself moment began brewing four years ago. I set out on this journey starving for love and bared it all just to suppress my appetite. After undergoing lapband surgery for all reasons outside of myself I thought that fitting in would suffice. It took me four years, surviving sexual abuse, physical abuse, dead-end jobs, one-sided friendships and living in the throes of a debilitating eating disorder to choose a better tomorrow.
It was one of many nights that I'd be leaning over the toilet vomiting that I remember beating my fists at the ground covered in vomit crying out to Gd there’s gotta be a better way. From that moment on my life took a turn I never thought I’d live to tell. On October 30th, 2019, I underwent revision surgery. I removed my lapband and revised it to a vertical sleeve. I also removed every person, place, and thing in my life that didn’t bring my soul peace and joy. Sometimes, without us realizing it, emotional weight can be heavier than pounds. In less than a month, I moved into a place that brings me the utmost joy. I get to call the beach my backyard. I finally have relief from my physical symptoms and am recovering each and every day.
Why am I sharing this all with you? Because I am living proof of a girl who made one decision: to chose ME, and as soon as I did Gd literally uprooted my life in ways I can only express as a miracle. I solidified that promise with a pinky tattoo on my left hand. I realized that getting lost in the service of others won’t get me to love myself more; it's by choosing to accept myself and loving myself that I can be of service to others. I can cry tears of gratitude just reflecting on how far I have come and how much farther I have to go. In a rapidly changing world that encourages blending in with black and white, I encourage you to show up in tie-dye 💗 You’ll be glad you did!"
With so much gratitude, Nikki, Long Beach, NY
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