11 Essays Everyone With A Body Should ReadSkip To ContentBuzzFeed News HomepageSign InSearch BuzzFeedSearch BuzzFeedCalifornia residents can opt out of "sales" of personal data.Do Not Sell My Personal Information 2022 BuzzFeed, Inc PressRSSPrivacyConsent PreferencesUser TermsAd ChoicesHelpContactSitemap Posted on 16 Sept 2017 11 Essays Everyone With A Body Should ReadStories about synaesthesia, scoliosis, health anxiety, and more. by Chelsey PippinBuzzFeed StaffFacebookPinterestTwitterMailLink 1 9 Things I Wish I d Known About Health Anxiety by Fiona Ward Sian Butcher / BuzzFeed There’s always the constant concern that one day I’ll be worrying about something that’s actually happening. 2 I Have A Kind Of Synaesthesia That Lets Me Taste Colour And Light by Lydia Ruffles Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF Sian Butcher / BuzzFeed Reason might dictate that the word “Sweden” would taste of swede, but rather than root vegetable it is a zingy, tangy mouthful. 3 Puberty Gave Me Curves I Never Expected by Rosalind Jana Sian Butcher / BuzzFeed Severe scoliosis forced me to literally change shape in the most formative years of my life. 4 This Is What It s Like To Go Through Menopause At 25 by Lucy Pasha-Robinson Sian Butcher / BuzzFeed After a lifetime of doctor's visits for endometriosis, my doctor and I agreed that inducing the menopause was the best option for my health. 5 This Is Why I Quit Exercise Therapy by Camilla Maxted Sian Butcher / BuzzFeed When it comes to my illness, I've learned to listen to my symptoms, trust my body, and give it the one thing it really needs: rest. 6 7 Things I Learned When My Mum Had Cancer by Ailbhe Malone Sian Butcher / BuzzFeed Think of it as a slow-motion rollercoaster. 7 Here s What It s Like To Have Time-Space Synaesthesia by Emma Yeomans Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF Rebecca Hendin / BuzzFeed Synaesthesia isn't just associating colours with words and numbers. In my case, it means I see the world around me in terms of dates and time – my mental calendar lives in my field of vision. 8 This Is What It s Like To Have Sleep Paralysis by Sarah Maria Griffin Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF Rebecca Hendin / BuzzFeed There are two kinds of sleep paralysis, and over the past seven years I've experienced both of them on the regular. 9 This is What It s Like to Have Bells Palsy by Claire Moses Rebecca Hendin / BuzzFeed About 40,000 people in the US get Bell's palsy every year. A few years ago, I was one of them. 10 I Hate Mixing Foods And That s Actually Fine by Ailbhe Malone Sian Butcher / BuzzFeed I spent most of my life afraid people would judge me for my eating habits, so I decided to visit a doctor and find out what it was all about. 11 How Facing Fertility Problems in My Twenties Shaped My Relationships by Brydie Lee-Kennedy Sian Butcher / BuzzFeed I may have kidulted my way through life, but I had to grow up fast when it came to family planning. Read more personal essay from BuzzFeed UK here Chelsey PippinBuzzFeed Staff Chelsey Pippin is commissioning editor for features at BuzzFeed UK and is based in London. Contact Chelsey Pippin at [email protected]. Got a confidential tip? Submit it here Share This ArticleFacebookPinterestTwitterMailLink Want to be the first to see product recommendations style hacks and beauty trends Sign up for our As Is newsletter This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.