Edina

In 2012 I developed an eating disorder. I was obsessed with calorie-counting, bodychecking, and was consumed by self-hatred. There were days where I ate nothing but a pack of biscuits before running up to 12km for competitive cross-country training. I found myself losing 10kg in the span of 2 months. I became a skeleton of my former self, both physically and metaphorically. I was determined to stem my eating disorder and just as things got better, I plunged into another hell – preparing for the A Levels. Every day was a struggle. I felt constantly angry and disheartened. Life felt like a blank space with no future. However, support from friends and family kept my head above the waters and allowed me to persevere through.

My brush with mental illness has been the most painful curse but also the greatest gift. It has given me purpose in life, a supportive community, and imbued me with resilience and compassion that have been invaluable in getting through subsequent obstacles in life. Through darkness, I found my light.

IT WAS

dark

and

narrow

ugly

and

monotonous

incongruent

and

disjointed

BUT NOW

light and

purpose prevail

vibrant colours

blossom

a coherent picture

emerges

About Edina

Edina graduated from Yale-NUS College with a BA Magna cum Laude, where she majored in Psychology. She is currently a research assistant investigating the impact of technology on mental and physical health. She hopes to empower people struggling with eating disorders and other mental conditions, making sure that no one is left behind in the journey toward mental and physical health. Edina’s hobbies include baking, exercising, hiking, and spending time with family and close friends.

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