Kesha Says ‘Taking The Time To Work On Yourself Requires Bravery’

Kesha has been through quite a bit: She says she was “sexually, physically, verbally and emotionally” abused by her producer Dr. Luke for years, and she was subsequently caught in an ugly and public court battle. All the while she struggled with a debilitating eating disorder.

In a recent essay for Teen Vogue, Kesha wrote about self-care, happiness and how she overcame that eating disorder ― and it’s so powerful. 

The singer-songwriter discussed how the bullying she experienced as a kid is nowhere near the body-shaming and slut-shaming young girls face today with the internet so readily available. 

“I know from personal experience how comments can mess up somebody’s self-confidence and sense of self-worth,” Kesha wrote. “I have felt so unlovable after reading cruel words written by strangers who don’t know a thing about me.”

Remember that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. And that no one can take the magic you make.

She added that when she compared herself to others and saw herself in tabloids, it became a vicious cycle that would feed her anxiety and depression. 

“Seeing paparazzi photos of myself and the accompanying catty commentary fueled my eating disorder,” Kesha wrote. “The sick irony was that when I was at some of the lowest points in my life, I kept hearing how much better I looked. I knew I was destroying my body with my eating disorder, but the message I was getting was that I was doing great.”

The last couple of years, however, Kesha’s learned a lot about the importance of self-care. “I’ve realized that once you take the step to help yourself, you’re going to be so happy you did,” she wrote. “Taking the time to work on yourself requires bravery.” 

The takeaway? Don’t be ashamed of your struggle. 

“With this essay, I want to pass along the message to anyone who struggles with an eating disorder, or depression, or anxiety, or anything else, that if you have physical or emotional scars, don’t be ashamed of them, because they are part of you,” Kesha wrote. “Remember that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. And that no one can take the magic you make.”

Head over to Teen Vogue to read Kesha’s full essay. 

If you’re struggling with an eating disorder, call the National Eating Disorder Association hotline at 1-800-931-2237.

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