About Malawi

[@bshearer5118]

I also went to Malawi on a missions trip to a Hesed orphanage! The experience was humbling, overwhelming, and wonderful. It really really helped me in my recovery. The children at the orphanage especially, showed me how to learn to be happy. It almost made me forget about the hospital and the clinic. Even though I struggled with my E.D. a bit on the trip, I never felt that overwhelming pressure to lose weight. It also helped that we had no scales or mirrors. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@LotusLou]

+B Shearer Ah I hope you had an amazing time- I thought it was such a beautiful country. But I agree, it was defiantly an overwhelming experience. I'm glad that it helped you in your recovery. Maybe being so far away from home and your normal life took some of the pressure/anxiety away? I hope that you're doing well lovely, keep going with recovery xxx

[@bshearer5118]

+Lotus Lou thank you so much! I hope you're doing well as well. Yeah I think that being out of my normal environment allowed me to focus on things other than my eating disorder. Also, I just wanted to say I love your channel it is so inspiring! I can really relate to you and it gives me hope that I will get better. Thank you for everything and blessings to you and your recovery :)

[@Amalthea11]

I just adore you, your wisdom and the way you think and choose the right words is incredobe. Such a beautiful young lady, inside out. It is very true about feeling calmer when close to nature. And it is very brave from you that you managed to face your fears and take part on such important trip. Just wanted to ask-have you ever thought of trying veganism? It is known as big help for people suffering from an eating dissorder. Lots of love from Prague.

[@LotusLou]

+Amalthea11 Thank you so much, you're very kind. Being around nature has always calmed me down, it just gives you some head space I think. I just wanted to push myself and not let my eating disorder prevent me from opportunities like this any more- although I did struggle a lot at times. When I'm at uni I do follow a vegan diet, however I do eat eggs at home. It is something I will defiantly look in to in the future when I don't have such rigid thinking around food. Sometimes I find labelling myself as certain things triggering. Thank you again for being so lovely, lots of love x x x

[@PaigelovesBBW]

I just wanted to say I totally know where you're coming from. I went to Ethiopia over the summer and I struggle with an eating disorder. I know the feeling of getting so frustrated when you're around people who are not secure in having food year round, and can't seem to eat seemingly enough. I'm so happy you had this experience and I'm proud of you for taking the challenge on. I look up to you a lot, especially being in college with an eating disorder. Thank you for all you do.

[@LotusLou]

+Paige B It's so difficult isn't it? You have all of these conflicting thoughts about it and everything just get's so confusing. I know for me that I have such a strong interest in food distribution and food poverty but that is probably stemming from my eating disorder anyway. Thank you for being so thoughtful and kind. I guess sometimes it's good to challenge yourself. Sending you lots of love and encouragement xx

[@kels95]

I found your channel only about a month ago but I really love your videos - you're very insightful and thoughtful and I personally relate to a lot of the feelings you often talk about in relation to depression, anxiety, and particularly as you mentioned in this video guilt surrounding having such issues. It's comforting to hear you articulate your thoughts - I often have very similar ones. Good luck with revision x

[@LotusLou]

+Kelsey Cooke Hi beautiful, thank you so much for this comment. It means a lot to me to hear that it's comforting in some way. For me the guilt about having an eating disorder is really strong, but this only feeds into the behaviours more- so it's a very viscous circle. Lots of love xxx

[@MillyColbert]

Really insightful video Lou, completely understand your thoughts here, sending positivity xx

[@LotusLou]

Thank you 💚💚

[@darren08roberts]

amazing lou ive been to the dominican republic and went on a tour of the poor area and saw young kids with little more than a ball to play and i felt bad. they were happy tho this experience will be with you for the rest of your life. hope your project goes well how is your eating disorder.

[@LotusLou]

+Darren Roberts Hi Darren :) It is difficult to take in because you often feel helpless. Thank you, it's due in about a month. I'm okay, struggling to keep up my intake but I'm trying because it's revision time. Not really sure how things are going

[@darren08roberts]

+Lotus Lou its hard when you see people with sometimes not even enough food and we have computers and mobile phones. good luck with yr exams lou :). do you still speak to a councilor