A Perspective on Imbalance: A Memoir Through the Lens of Eating Disorders Anonymous

A Perspective on Imbalance uses a crab shell essay format within the adjusted framework of Eating Disorder Anonymous’ “Perspective on Balance” letter. This original letter speaks to how physical, social/emotional, and spiritual balance came to exist in the founder’s life after working the 12 steps of the program, but the author of this thesis felt more inclined to examine what life looks like in each of those categories before the 12 steps, as well as what happens when you choose not to work them (as this has been her experience thus far). The resulting linear prose essay includes themes of loss, friendship, heartbreak, sexuality, faith, and chronic illness and mental illness. Each section examines core life events from different angles, all of which evoke powerful feelings of frustration, grief, optimism, and nostalgia that will resonate with readers who have grown up or are currently growing up in a world that wrongly demands perfection at every turn--especially for women. The perspective of a young author with niche identities that are relatively unexplored in modern literature creates extremely necessary discourse, and provides a rare opportunity for young readers to feel seen and heard as they navigate their own physical, social/emotional, and spiritual journeys.