Shahn Donovan

Happy Friday Guys, here’s a (lengthy) post about how “smiling through it all” can be helpful but how that messaging often can cause people to not feel allowed to actually show that it’s ok to visibly be going through things, and that that’s also ok to do as it can be healing although it’s not referred to as being as “pretty/acceptable” If you’re like me, you’re a presenter (that means you smile even when things are going so wrong in your life just to try to appear fine and hold it together, because if you don’t you will BREAK and fall apart) and trust me… a LOT was going wrong in my life when I took these happy go lucky photos with @iamjasonmc and @jvvydee ( I absolutely LOVED working with them) and I wanted to make sure nobody knew a thing. they had no idea that they were the only reason I was smiling that day (remember that you never know what people are going through and that being kind can be such a help to those in what I call “invisible pain”) It’s ok to be a “hot mess” sometimes, fall apart and not keep it “together”in front of even those that don’t get it or care, and it’s also ok to not be comfortable with showing that vulnerability and feeling the need to “present” and be “perfect” as well. I just want to spread the message that whether you’re balling your eyes out in front of the world, or smiling and laughing through it all, neither one of those as ways of coping are wrong and that you’re brave, beautiful, and amazing for choosing to wake up and try to stay alive in this crazy thing we call life ❤️ I love y’all and positive vibes to you all 💙❤️ 📸 @iamjasonmc @officialjasonmc Stylist @jvvydee 👕 @hm @hm_man 🩳 @hm @hm_man 👒 @hm @hm_man 👟 @zara @zaraman

There’s something about a happiness from within that shines like no other. Life’s not always guaranteed to be fun, easy breezy, or filled with joy, but I think it’s important to take the good with the bad and to allow yourself to indulge in all of the moments that causes you happiness, no matter how small or minimal they may seem. For me this week it was getting my first caramel latte from @starbucks (fully flavored, with whipped cream, and delicious) in a couple of years and seeing the progress I’ve made in my life with working towards developing a better relationship with food and fighting the cultural message about guilt and pleasure surrounding food and calories (don’t get me wrong it wasn’t easy) but it was enjoyable. What was it for you this week, I’d love to hear ❤️ 📸 @i.am.tarricelove

They say that there’s beauty in pain. I wonder.... can I use the painful life I’ve lived to help others achieve a beautiful and free one? If so then I agree 💙 Here’s my latest blog post (pic 3 &link in bio) about struggling with compulsive exercising and how one specific example in therapy related to bullying was one of the many triggers to starting the over exercising and need for dissociation. Thank you guys for the support, and please share with those that need to hear the message and need to be reminded that they’re not alone 💙 📸 @i.am.tarricelove https://theweightofitall.blog/f/compulsive-exercising-how-why-cant-i-stop-how-did-i-get-here

(Topic) You’re amazing and if they think otherwise forget & ignore them It took a convo with my gurl @suzettelexus to remind me “that I’m that guy, not to let the world take my confidence, and to remind that I’m always capable of 🔥🔥” I’ve been actively pursuing modeling for 4 years now (inactively and inconsistently about 10 years ago), haven’t booked much, and felt like a “failure” and it’s been really hard truth be told, but I always have to remember it’s the about journey not the destination, and that success doesn’t always come as quickly as we’d like it to, and that’s ok, but hey I cry about it sometimes (a lot) lol It’s not your responsibility to defeat your demons “anxieties, depression and hopelessness” like a lot of motivational speakers say and condemn you for not being able to, but rather it’s good to try your best to remember to meet yourself where you are on your journey, and try to have empathy and compassion for yourself. Anyways here’s an amazing photo taken by the amazing @i.am.tarricelove (he’s great, check him out) Take care loves, and you’re in my thoughts, ESPECIALLY if you can’t be for yourself in your own corner (because I know most times I am not the best at it) 💙

📸 @capturedbywoodd Jewels by @ancienteclipsecollections 🎸 @alvarez_guitar Pic 1: I’m never gonna get this Pic 2: I guess I’ll give it a shot 🙄 Pic 3: I’m actually getting the hang of it! I got a guitar about a year and some change ago, but didn’t start getting serious until 2 weeks ago and it’s really enjoyable, and my teacher is great! Whatever it is you want to do, don’t get wrapped up with “completing” it, just try to enjoy the process and remember you’ll get there and that you’re living life for you and that’s what matters. You’re beautiful, you’re special, you’re amazing, and you’re worthy (words of affirmation I’ve been telling myself) definitely try it and if you can’t tell it to yourself, I SAID IT TO YOU FOR YOU 😘 And yes that’s my nude athletic body and I’m learning to love embrace and accept every inch of it 🤷🏽‍♂️

Check out my latest blog post (website link in bio) “ Glorifying unhealthy behaviors and lying about it! #overit “ I hope @chr1styharrison & @bodyliberationwithlindley don’t mind me using their name in my blog, but I’m so inspired by Christy Harrison and I adored this pic created by Lindley Ashline and wanted to give them the credit they deserve for the work they do ❤️ Guys let’s really try to take diet culture down, even if you find yourself unable to stop engaging with it (like myself) please please PLEASE stop promoting it. It’s harmful and not right.

Happy Friyay! I want to use this post to remind you that your mental health is more important than any job, any relationship, and just about anything else you can think about. Don’t sacrifice your mental Heath if you don’t have to (and if you’re in a place where survival comes before mental health, keep your head up because the day will come when this won’t be your truth) 📸 @iamjasonmc Stylist @jvvydee Jacket @ralphlauren Jeans @uniqlo @uniqlousa Bandana @imogeneandwillie

They say that the eyes are the windows to a person’s soul 👀 📸 @im.tarricelove 🧥 @zara 👕 @zara Btw have a good week loves and hang in there ❤️

I heard total drama island is renewed for 2 seasons and I’m ecstatic! Anyways, here’s some of the magic @im.tarricelove and I created some time ago. More to come, stay tuned ❤️ Btw don’t feel pressured to post on social media to prove you’re working on things. You know you are, and that’s what matters loves 😘

I hope you enjoy this picture as much as I enjoyed my coffee 😘 ☕️

I had carbs (like actual carbs lol) this morning... and the world didn’t end even though my jeans are a bit tighter 😅 I may not now or ever be free from diet culture, but I’m not blinded by the “it’s a lifestyle” or “I’m being a little healthier” bull#*it mentality I used to be programmed to believe. I’m just trying to find a way to live that works for me and my mental health. Enjoy your Tuesday and I challenge you to enjoy a meal of YOUR choice with no regrets 😘

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Goodbye 27 & hello 28! I honestly wasn’t supposed to make it this far and I’m so grateful that I’ve been blessed to live past the expiration date I gave myself. Can’t help but look forward to what this next year of my life will bring and never forget: YOU DESERVE LIFE & YOU DESERVE TO TRULY LIVE! If you’re not there yet, keep hope it will happen for you my loves ❤️ 📸 @clayboutte

dinner was hard last night as my obsessive thoughts tried to take over and they’re not any easier this morning as the mirror tries to be unkind and that’s ok We are constantly receiving messages about how manipulating bodies and criminalizing/demonizing certain foods is the only lifestyle choice that’s “right/healthy” and I’m here to tell you... it’s not and to go live your life and eat to feed your soul ❤️ to my fellow people recovering from an eating disorder, it will be hard, everyday will look different but know you’re not failing because you’re still here, even if you eat nothing one day (just remember to always try and that you deserve any food you want), everything another day, and somewhere inbetween, it’s your journey and it will become more intuitive to take care of yourself mentally and hopefully physically loves It doesn’t have to make sense to anybody else and honestly it doesn’t have to make sense to you (cuz lord knows I’ve been lost in the sauce for years) Keep fighting, keep asking questions and opening doors to what brought you to this point and never forget that you’re a fighter 😘 Have a great Friday loves Check out @chr1styharrison food psych podcast to start cementing these thoughts and to hopefully help with your healing (I know it helped me)

Sticks and stones hurt less than the words I tell myself, but your words don’t do s#*t. Comment something you like about yourself so I can be your hype man 😘 Be kind to yourself loves, you’re amazing ❤️ Also, don’t forget to follow @thefashionherotv so that you’ll catch me in season 2 and support your favorite (well maybe) lgbtq hiv+ bodypositive activist... me Photographer @clayboutte