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Hello beautiful,

Taking place Monday, February 24 – Sunday, March 2, I have signed up to be an Eating Disorders Awareness Week Collaborator again! That means A Blythe Coach is proudly listed on the collaborators page and I have agreed to share important resources with my community from this annual campaign to educate about the realities of eating disorders and to provide hope and visibility to individuals and loved ones impacted by eating disorders.

This issue is close to my heart as a dancer, educator, and person who has grown up in a toxic diet and body culture, working hard to break free of such restriction and all harmful constructs. In conversations with students and clients these last weeks, I have confirmed that this sort of education and support for the work is still very much needed.

With Black History Month in February, Women’s History Month in March, and International Women’s Day March 8th, it is important to note that women and marginalized communities are particularly adversely affected by Eating Disorders and other mental and physical health conditions. Looking forward to IWD festivities right after Koeln Karneval!

​Read Building a Healthy Relationship with Body & Food – Eating Disorder Awareness Week here​

My other creations, recommendations, and questions for you are:

Viewing:

• ​Writing, Memoir & Storytelling Tools - Acorns, Powerful Portfolio, Resume, & Life Timeline Video on YouTube One of my personal creative challenges last year was Camp NaNoWriMo / Memoir (July), and while brainstorming and writing my own creative true stories, I recorded this video about tools & resources that might support you in composing your own stories. Then I uploaded it and forgot to post until now, but the goal of telling creative true stories to teach and inspire continues for me and I'll be sharing more as I hone the craft and recount anecdotes from my life in 2025.
• In the face of fascism, Know your rights
• ​Women in STEM preserve history
• "Ghosts" is a new comedy series that is helping us cope

Listening:

• Getting excited for International Women's Day with this Song!

Reading:

• "Do Not Obey In Advance: A Moral Crisis in Arts Funding" by grant-writer, classmate and friend Claire Willett relays horrifying news, but also contains informative links and actionable steps to take
• Finished The Wishing Game by Meg Schaffer, liked the story and characters, but did not enjoy the writing style
• ​The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag: A Flavia de Luce Novel (#2) by Alan Bradley is my current "cozy" mystery

Practicing:

• Backed up all my Kindle ebooks: If you've ever bought a Kindle or book on Kindle, you may wish to do the same
• Do you own Kindle ebooks? Amazon are changing the way you own your Kindle books - you have 10 days to react (now only 5 days to download/back up)
• Having grace about a slow start to the year with The New Year actually starts in February, this from Gina Hamadey, a person who has written a book as well as everyday letters
• Napping for mental and physical health such as the Benefits of Sleeping on the Job from AP News and having Napping superpowers on IG
• Setting up March and beyond in my BuJo, like Jess' March Under the Stars theme that all are invited to join
• Always finding wonder, such as these 5 Ways to Bring More Awe into Your Life from Positive News
• Wanting to eat Girl Scout Cookies and keep the "T" in LGBTQIA+: Trans Girl Scouts from whom to order Cookies​

Practicing Together LIVE / Adult Movement Classes this week:

• In-Studio Adult Beginner Ballet, 6-7:00pm CET Mondays, Tanzschule Tanzraum Nippes, Cologne, Germany creates a strong, body-friendly, and graceful foundation for dance (German) all Tanzraum classes are cancelled for Karneval Thursday, February 27h and Monday, March 3rd!
• Online Yogalicious Gentle Yoga. 7-8:00pm CET Tuesdays (8-9:00am HI) provides a delicious mindful movement feast which balances strength, balance and coordination for mind, body, and spirit adaptable to all levels and conditions (English)
• Online Balletlicious Gentle Adaptive Ballet Barre+, 7:30-8:30am CET Wednesdays, consists of mostly barre with a little dancey centre work, building a strong, body-friendly, and graceful foundation for dance at home or anywhere in the world (English)

Inquiring:

• What resources should I include as a collaborator on Eating Disorders Awareness Week?
• International Women's Day?
• How can I support you or someone you know in finding the Eating Disorder prevention, assessment, or treatment they need?
• How will you promote a healthy relationship with your body and eating?
• Do you celebrate Karneval, Lent, Easter, the Spring Equinox?
• What is your story? What is your message? (is there a difference?)

Gladly share your response to the questions above or provide other updates by replying to this email or on social media if you are active there.

Thank you for reading, for being, and for dancing with me, in spirit or in fact. Take care of yourself and keep moving mindfully!

Love, Blythe

Blythe Stephens, MFA, Bliss Catalyst
they/them or she/her
Creator of A Blythe Coach: dance through your difficulties
and take leaps of faith into a joyful, fulfilling life

P.S.- If you signed up for my email newsletter in order to try a free class or coaching session, just reply and let me know what you're looking for, happy to help!

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