by Arianna Wheat Photo by Yasin Yusuf on Unsplash Off the top of my head, I can think of at least two things that naturally occur with ease, but suddenly become more difficult when you consciously think about them; one is breathing, and the other is Change. Rarely if ever have I welcomed sudden change in my life. I am moving into a place where I am actively embracing the thought that my cumulative efforts will create the change I want over time. I will also face changes that

Written by Arianna Wheat photo by Leighann-blackwood of Unsplash I looked in the mirror and thought briefly and quietly, “I just want to lose weight.” Ugh. When this thought pops up I feel like I have failed myself and all of Fat Liberation everywhere. I can easily start down a shame spiral into all the ways I have failed at self-love, tell myself I haven’t grown, and that all of my hard work has been for nothing (HARSH!). This time I've decided to give myself another option.

Written by Arianna Wheat Photo by Leighann Blackwood on Unsplash We rounded the edge of the lake at Lake Balboa Park. I had lived in the San Fernando Valley for the first 24 years of my life and had never been to or seen this park that sits majestically in the mid-valley region. The park features walking paths, trees, and paddle boats in the shape of giant swans that you can take out to the middle of the lake. I cannot fully recall the conversation but I remember the moment w