I sashay into the bathroom, humming an upbeat tune. Off comes my oversized tee, followed by my undies. I plant my bare feet onto the scale. Three digits judge me. Suddenly, I feel heavy. How can this be? Five pounds higher than yesterday? I step off and climb back on, wanting a second opinion. The results are the same. Too many calories, too few steps, my mind scolds on repeat. I drag myself into the shower. Scalding water stings, but the numbers won’t wash away. Fed up with being told how to feel, I toss my scale into the trash.
Sonja Thomas is the kidlit author of Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence and Olive Blackwood Takes Action! www.bysonjathomas.com Instagram and X: @bysonjathomas