The author shares her personal experience of choosing to freeze her eggs, a decision that took two years of consideration. Before beginning the process, she sought advice from other women who had already undergone it, and was warned about the physical side effect of bloating. Despite preparing a wardrobe to cover up the bloating, she found herself not caring about her appearance during the process. She reflects back on an early memory from her childhood where she associated cucumbers with beauty and body image, demonstrating how her mindset around appearance was ingrained from a young age.
The author discusses how her insecurities around her body image were a significant part of her early adulthood, impacting her mental well-being. Despite doing work to feel more comfortable in her body, she still struggled with negativity around her appearance. As the time for her egg freezing cycle neared, she was anxious about how she would feel about her body’s appearance during the process. However, she was surprised to find herself completely embracing her body mentally, physically, and emotionally throughout the experience, despite the bloating and limitations on physical activity.
During the two weeks of hormone injections for egg freezing, the author found herself feeling strong and empowered by what her body was capable of enduring. She was grateful for her body’s resilience and felt a sense of empowerment through the process. This newfound appreciation for her body made her reflect on the time and energy she had wasted in the past criticizing her appearance. The experience challenged her to let go of past negative self-perceptions and embrace her body’s strength and resilience.
The author’s journey with egg freezing allowed her to shift her perspective on her body and appearance, highlighting the resilience and capabilities of her body. She discusses feeling empowered by the experience and grateful for her body’s ability to endure the physical and emotional challenges of the process. This newfound appreciation for her body contrasts with the negative self-perceptions she had struggled with in the past, leading her to reflect on the time and energy she had wasted on criticizing her appearance.
Overall, the author’s experience with egg freezing challenged her to reevaluate her relationship with her body and appearance. Despite initial anxieties about her body’s appearance during the process, she found herself embracing her body’s strength and resilience. The experience allowed her to let go of past negative self-perceptions and appreciate her body for what it was capable of enduring. This shift in perspective ultimately led to a newfound sense of empowerment and gratitude for her body.
