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Lena Dunham

Lena Dunham is not known for shying away from the camera.

And now the 32-year-old has taken to Instagram to bare everything – in terms of how she has come to a realisation that she is enough just the way she is.

Something we could all do with realising, right?

The write, actor and director has struggled with her weight and body image in the public eye but it seems that she is in a place of contentment now.

Lena posted a black-and-white snap of herself in her underwear lying on a bed and penned a passionate post about self-acceptance.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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She captioned it, ''I’ve spent a lot of time in this life feeling like too much. Too hungry. Too anxious. Too loud. Too needy. Too sick. Too dramatic. Too honest. Too sexy (jk lol.) I was always sent the message, in insidious ways, that I took up too much room and demanded too much from life and sometimes gave too much to people who didn’t want any at all.''

She then made the point that the way she is will be perfect for someone.

She continued, ''But something has changed, and it started when I realised: I don’t have to be *for* everybody, and that for the right people, my too much is just enough. My too much also means I have room for their too much and we can take turns too muching all over each other.''

She concluded the post with words of wisdom and we are LOVING it. 

She added, ''At 32: I weigh the most I ever have. I love the most I ever have. I read and write and laugh the most I ever have. And I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. Not the frail, precarious happiness of “things are going perfectly.” The big, generous, jiggly happiness of “I think I’m finally starting to get the hang of this.” Not too much… Just enough.''

Gwan Lena. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Her fans were quick to praise the writer and creator of GIRLS in the comments.

One said, ''True words from a wise, strong, emotionally intelligent woman. Thank you.''

While another wrote, ''Love this message! Thanks for changing society and its thoughts on body image.''

We adore these words of Lena's and think more of us need to be honest like her.

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Lena Dunham has always been candid abut her struggle with endometriosis and openly documented her journey.

The actor and writer took to Instagram to mark one year since undergoing a hysterectomy due to the severity of her condition. 

She posted to photos side-by-side; one of her appearing downcast and the other of her smiling.

She wrote, ''What a difference a year makes…First photo was indeed a year ago today, on the first night after my hysterectomy for severe endometriosis.''

She continued, ''I was smiling but my eyes say it all: full of anxiety and grief that I couldn't locate through the layers of pain meds and benzos. The second pic was taken tonight, happy joyous and (substance) free.'' 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

What a difference a year makes… First photo was indeed a year ago today, on the first night after my hysterectomy for severe endometriosis. I was smiling but my eyes say it all: full of anxiety and grief that I couldn’t locate through the layers of pain meds and benzos. Severe undiagnosed PTSD, feelings that my worth and purpose were being taken from me, angry and self-pitying with no sense of how I’d emerge. Plus, my hair had fallen out in odd clumps and I’d taken it upon myself to dye what remained electric blue cuz if you’re gonna spiral why not SPIRAL (shout out to @joanaavillez for being a true friend and bringing Manic Panic when I demanded it at night in the hospital, though. I love you Jo.) The second pic was taken tonight, happy joyous and (substance) free. The last year hasn’t been all roses and Kenny G songs, but it’s been proof enough for me in the presence of the divine. The divine- it’s been there in the kindness of my family, friends, chronically ill folks online. It’s also been there in the moments where I cried myself to sleep, shocked by the sounds coming out of me. It’s in the light slanting on my comforter, the resilience of my best friend’s baby clonking her head then giggling, the new hairs sprouting at my temples. Mostly I’ve found it in my own strength, because who the fuck knew. And I don’t mean strength as in powering through. I mean strength as in vulnerability, feeling it all, taking it as it comes and dancing even with a hospital grade pad in my underwear. I surprised myself. I bet you can surprise yourself too.

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The 32-year-old had been battling endometriosis for more than a decade hen she made the heart-wrenching decision to have her uterus removed at the age of 31.

She penned an essay for Vogue explaining why, and also acknowledging that she did always wnt to have children, but knew there was something wrong.

She writes, ''I check myself into the hospital and announce I am not leaving until they stop this pain or take my uterus. Sometimes it takes a while for the reality of infertility to set in, the rage.'' 

However she is celebrating how much stronger she is one year on from surgery.

She writes that, ''I’ve found it in my own strength, because who knew. And I don’t mean strength as in powering through. I mean strength as in vulnerability, feeling it all, taking it as it comes and dancing even with a hospital grade pad in my underwear.''

''I surprised myself. I bet you can surprise yourself too.''

Her fans were full of support for her, writing, ''Your vulnerability is inspiring. We love you.''

Another said, ''You wear your soul in the words written. I so admire you.''

Keep doing what you're doing Lena – you are a true inspiration to so many women everywhere. 

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The fierce Lena Dunham is fighting for women everywhere, one nude photo at a time.

The influencer celebrated the nine-month anniversary of her hysterectomy with gorgeous photos of her body.

Posted on Instagram, her revealing portraits exposed the rawness of her painful experience over the past few years in a way that has resonated with women everywhere.

“I’ve never celebrated the 9 month anniversary of anything and I realized last night why that number feels so funny- I won’t ever do it the way I planned to.

“My body is mostly healed and every day I find a new bruise on my heart, but today I offer myself gratitude: from the most pained place, I somehow knew to choose myself.” 

 

Today is National Leathercraft Day, National Relaxation Day and National Lemon Merengue Pie Day. It’s also the 9 month anniversary of my hysterectomy. I’ve never celebrated the 9 month anniversary of anything and I realized last night why that number feels so funny- I won’t ever do it the way I planned to. My body is mostly healed and every day I find a new bruise on my heart, but today I offer myself gratitude: from the most pained place, I somehow knew to choose myself. The purest glint of who we are and know we can be is always available to us, calm and true at our center. My friend Paul named my uterus Judy, and when she was being uppity we called her out, hence the tattoo on my ribs, which hurt like fuck even through the pain meds: #RIPJudy. Today I give thanks for Judy, for her graceful exit and for this body, which is stronger than I’ve ever given it credit for. Happy Giving Birth To Myself Day.

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The American actress was diagnosed with endometriosis, a condition where cells of endometrial-like tissue migrate outside of the uterus and attach to other places in the body.

These cells are structured to break down and bleed, but they cannot escape through a period if mislocated. This results in extreme pain that varies as hormone levels change, according to Endometriosis UK.

The condition affects one in ten women in the UK, and along with agonising pain, it often causes infertility.

After three hospitalisations within a year, Lena was unable to bear the terrible symptoms any further and decided to undergo a hysterectomy. She wrote about her life-changing experience in a moving letter.

“All along the way, a massive fear of mine was ‘being discovered,’ that someone would decide I wasn't strong enough for my work or my life because of what I dealt with physically and emotionally. But I am strong because of what I've dealt with.”

 

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Now, the Girls star is reflecting on endometriosis in honour of her hysterectomy anniversary with a powerful statement.

“The purest glint of who we are and know we can be is always available to us, calm and true at our center,” she said in celebration of her health. Lena urged women to remember, no matter what we are going through, that we can always find ourselves through the pain and trauma. Somewhere buried under all that hardship is a strong and powerful woman capable of digging herself out.

The actress explained her friend named her uterus Judy, and Lena has a tattoo in tribute to her lost, physical symbol of womanhood that reads ‘RIP Judy’.

“Today I give thanks for Judy, for her graceful exit and for this body, which is stronger than I’ve ever given it credit for. Happy Giving Birth To Myself Day.”

But the courageous actress is clear to convey that a woman's femininity does not lie in her levels of estrogen or her functioning uterus. It is defined by her strength to carry on and fight for her true self to shine through whatever obstacles life throws her way.

Lena continues to be a bold advocate for women’s health and openly sharing about her chronic condition has helped raise awareness of endometriosis and it’s painful symptoms.

“I am no longer scared of my body,” she declared. “In fact, I listen to it when it speaks. I have no choice but to respect what it tells me, to respect the strength of its voice and the truth of my own.”

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The Time's Up campaign spearheaded by actresses was the talk of this year's Golden Globes, as members of Hollywood's acting elite joined forces to show their solidarity for women who have been victims of sexual abuse.

Len Dunham, who has repeatedly flown the flag of feminism throughout her career, yesterday posted to Instagram to show her support for the movement. 

'Humbled to stand alongside these amazing women and say #TIMESUP on systemic oppression, underrepresentation, discrimination, abuse and violence in all industries,' she captioned the post, which seemed to suggest that she had a hand in organising the campaign. 

 

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However, actress Tessa Thompson took issue with Lena's post, and alleges that the Girls creator had little to do with the concept or organisation of the movement. 

'Lena was not anywhere present in our group during the countless hours of work for the last two months,' Thompson wrote in a now deleted comment.

'We hosted an open house for actresses for red carpet messaging and Lena presence was a surprise to us all.'

 

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'This is a time of reckoning. And for many, a re-education. So many women also have real work to do.'

'I’m afraid it’s too nuanced a conversation to have on this platform. But I hear you, and know that your thoughts and words are not lost on me. It’s been discussed,' she finished.

The allegations led to online uproar, in which Lena was slammed for inserting herself into the campaign. 

Tessa Thompson then clarified her statements via Twitter, appearing to backtrack, saying: 'I sometimes lack finesse in navigating social media. Hard to discuss issues with nuance there.'

'A response I made to comments on an Instagram became fodder for a piece that I believe was designed to create conflict where there isn’t any.'

'It’s perhaps more complex than that. But I, in no way, want to diminish Lena Dunham and her work, her voice, and her importance. We have spoken and she knows my heart. I feel a responsibility to women that have sometimes felt ignored, dismissed, and underrepresented.'

'They are my beacons. I regret that my words were misinterpreted to distract from the most important thing: The Time’s Up campaign is for everyone, in all capacities, contributions big and small.'

 

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'It doesn’t belong to any one. It is for us all. The beauty of this huge collaboration has been a group of countless committed people who have come together for a shared purpose.'

'To create change. And it is such a powerful thing. I stand, humbled, with everyone involved. Linked not ranked.'

Lena Dunham has since turned off commenting on her Instagram post. 

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Lena Dunham and Jack Antonoff have split after almost six years together.

According to reports, the couple mutually decided to go their separate ways in December 2017 after they realised they were “growing apart.”

A source told E! News: “It was mutual. Jack and Lena were growing apart and it just made sense for them to end their relationship where it was.”

“They want the best for each other no matter what. They are both moving on.”

The pair met on a blind date set up by Jack's sister in 2012 and the attraction was instantaneous.

The Girls creator and Bleachers frontman moved in together shortly after, telling PEOPLE that their living situation was “pretty normal in terms of everyday life” and admitted that the biggest struggle was “trying to find something new and exciting for dinner.”

The former couple were never engaged to be married, despite a number of rumours throughout their relationship, and Lena admitted that she enjoyed the lack of pressure.

“I am not against marriage in any way, but I do like the fact that Jack and I have placed zero pressure on ourselves about it,’ she said in February 2017.

“I have friends who have met someone, married them and got divorced during the period of time that Jack and I have been dating. We are as close as you can get to a pair of 100-year-old people. Every night we go home, walk our dogs, put them into their crates, take melatonin, watch 20 minutes of TV, then we go to sleep. It is the schedule of ancient, ancient people.”

Meanwhile, Lena has been criticised of 'jumping on the Time's Up bandwagon', after actress Tess Thompson accused the star of not being present during the “countless hours of work” that went into the new anti-harassment campaign.

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Lena Dunham is facing criticism for standing behind Girls producer and writer Murray Miller. 

According to The Wrap, actress Aurora Perrineau claimed that Miller raped her in 2012, when she was just 17 years old

'At some point, I woke up in Murray’s bed naked,' she said, after consuming alcohol with Murray and some friends. 

 

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 'He was on top of me having sexual intercourse with me. At no time did I consent to any sexual contact with Murray.'

Lena Dunham, who has spoken out with words of compassion for sexual assault victims previously, 

'While our first instinct is to listen to every woman’s story, our insider knowledge of Murray’s situation makes us confident that sadly this accusation is one of the 3pc of assault cases that are misreported every year,' a spokesperson for Lena Dunham told The Wrap.

'It is a true shame to add to that number, as outside of Hollywood women still struggle to be believed.'

'We stand by Murray and this is all we’ll be saying about this issue.'

Twitter is not too happy with Lena's response to the allegations:

 

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So, it's official – Lena Dunham has joined the cast of American Horror Story.

The news was announced by series creator Ryan Murphy on Twitter earlier today.

Writing to his 704,000 followers, Ryan said: "Thrilled that my talented friend Lena Dunham is joining the AMERICAN HORROR STORY family.

"Always wanted to work together, and now we are (sic)!"

However, not many people are happy about the decision to cast Lena, and they all took to Twitter to share their opinions:

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Last month, Lena Dunham was forced to call Us Weekly out on their coverage of her weight loss.

The magazine ran a feature on the star and used her recent weight loss as a platform to provide so-called diet tips.

And Lena, unsurprisingly, wasted no time highlighting the fact that numerous medical conditions were actually responsible for her weight loss, and therefore not something any woman should aspire towards.

In a similar vein this week, the Girls creator took to Instagram to share a nude photo of herself alongside a caption which illustrates the progress the actress has made in relation to her own self-worth and body image.

"Just wanted to share that one of the reasons @eatingboys has inspired me so much is because of the way she mixes her humor and sexuality," Lena began.

"I spent so many years loving my body but thinking it wasn't lovable by others- its sole purpose was to be fodder for jokes," she wrote.

"I performed the insult so no one else could," she added. "I don't regret any of it- that's my art and that was my truth."

However, it sounds like the star's perspective has changed somewhat, and her medical history has gone a long way towards contributing to it.

"Now, at age 31, having been through hell and back with my health and other people's perceptions of my physicality, I feel deeply comfortable with the idea that this pear-shaped pot of honey is equally good for making people laugh and laying out like a Suicide Girl circa 2004. Love it all."

 

20 slimdown diet tips! 1. anxiety disorder * 2. resultant constant nausea 3. an election that reveals the true depths of American misogyny 4. constant sweaty dreams of dystopian future 5. abdominal adhesions pinning ovary below uterus * 6. baseless but still harrowing threats to physical safety online and through smail mail 7. watching institutions you love from Planned Parenthood to PBS be threatened by cartoon mustache-twirling villains 8. finally realizing superheroes aren't real (specifically the X-Factor, really thought they'd handle this) 9. marching your ass off 10. a quiet rage that replaces need for food with need for revenge 11. sleeping 19 hours a day 12. realizing that even the liberal media wants dem clicks no matter whut 13. worrying ceaselessly about the health and safety of women you know and women you don't 14. realizing who ya real friends are 15. having to switch from Uber to Lyft (lots of calories burned trying to understand a new app, then even more trying to understand if the conflict was resolved) 16. bladder spasms, urinary frequency and urgency * 17. having your phone number leaked and violent images texted to your phone by randos under names like VERYFATCHUCKYBOY@creepz.com 18. keeping your back arched against the wind 19. um, who the fuck cares? 20. I have no tips I give no tips I don't want to be on this cover cuz it's diametrically opposed to everything I've fought my whole career for and it's not a compliment to me because it's not an achievement thanx * Star indicates a pre-existing condition

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Lena's upload struck a chord with her followers and has amassed almost 40,000 likes so far.

"You are absolutely gorgeous and quite the inspiration to me as I have insecurities ab my body as well," wrote one Instagram user. (sic)

"Keep on keeping on @lenadunham and continue to create & u will undoubtedly inspire more of us! Thank you for showing beauty is not restricted to a size 4 with minimal curves & that a woman's mind is just as beautiful (if not more so) than her body."

"I spent so many years loving my body but thinking it wasn't lovable by others" I've been there so many times, just reading it from you makes me feel less alone, understood. Calm," added another.

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Lena Dunham has never made any secret of the medical conditions which have plagued her for most of her life.

While making a name for herself in the entertainment industry and spearheading one of the most successful television shows in recent years, the 30-year-old has lived with anxiety and endometriosis.

And media outlets who wouldn’t be aware of this aspect of Lena’s life are few and far between.

So, when Us Weekly ran a feature on the star and used her recent weight loss as a platform to provide so-called diet tips, Lena, unsurprisingly, wasted no time highlighting the inaccuracy of their coverage.

Taking to Instagram to share an image of the cover, Lena, who was recently hospitalised, provided her followers with a more accurate representation of her ‘weight loss journey’.

 

20 slimdown diet tips! 1. anxiety disorder * 2. resultant constant nausea 3. an election that reveals the true depths of American misogyny 4. constant sweaty dreams of dystopian future 5. abdominal adhesions pinning ovary below uterus * 6. baseless but still harrowing threats to physical safety online and through smail mail 7. watching institutions you love from Planned Parenthood to PBS be threatened by cartoon mustache-twirling villains 8. finally realizing superheroes aren't real (specifically the X-Factor, really thought they'd handle this) 9. marching your ass off 10. a quiet rage that replaces need for food with need for revenge 11. sleeping 19 hours a day 12. realizing that even the liberal media wants dem clicks no matter whut 13. worrying ceaselessly about the health and safety of women you know and women you don't 14. realizing who ya real friends are 15. having to switch from Uber to Lyft (lots of calories burned trying to understand a new app, then even more trying to understand if the conflict was resolved) 16. bladder spasms, urinary frequency and urgency * 17. having your phone number leaked and violent images texted to your phone by randos under names like VERYFATCHUCKYBOY@creepz.com 18. keeping your back arched against the wind 19. um, who the fuck cares? 20. I have no tips I give no tips I don't want to be on this cover cuz it's diametrically opposed to everything I've fought my whole career for and it's not a compliment to me because it's not an achievement thanx * Star indicates a pre-existing condition

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Including but not limited to anxiety, abdominal adhesions, bladder spasms and intense distress over various elements of her private life, Lena ensured Us Weekly that her weight loss is not something to aspire towards nor is she in any position to offer ‘motivation’ to the female demographic.

“I have no tips. I give no tips,” she wrote.

“I don't want to be on this cover cuz it's diametrically opposed to everything I've fought my whole career for and it's not a compliment to me because it's not an achievement thanx ,” (sic)

Like Cosmopolitan’s astonishing decision to frame a story about cancer with a clickbait headline about weight loss, US Weekly conveniently decided to forget that Lena has a medical background which can impact on her weight and appearance.

Instead of running coverage on Lena’s courage and strength in the face of ill health, US Weekly appeared to think their female demographic would be more inclined to open the magazine if they splashed some weightloss tips on the cover.

Like Cosmo, Us Weekly wrongly assumed they could disguise poor physical and mental health with some handy tips on trimming down and toning up.

And like Cosmo, they were wrong.

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Lena Dunham has fought the battle with body shamers since she first arrived in the spotlight thanks to the huge success of her HBO series Girls.

The controversial writer and actress has always spoken out against the wave of body hate, and has done it again in her latest Instagram post. 

Taking to the social media site, the 30-year-old has once again written a poignant statement against shame, opening up about her health and body struggles.

 

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"I feel I've made it pretty clear over the years that I don't give even the tiniest of shits what anyone else feels about my body," she said, captioning an Instagram post.  

"I've gone on red carpets in couture as a size 14. I've done sex scenes days after surgery, mottled with scars. I've accepted that my body is an ever changing organism, not a fixed entity- what goes up must come down and vice versa."

"I smile just as wide no matter my current size because I'm proud of what this body has seen and done and represented. Chronic illness sufferer. Body-shaming vigilante. Sexual assault survivor. Raging hottie. Just like all of YOU."

 

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"Right now I'm struggling to control my endometriosis through a healthy diet and exercise."

"So my weight loss isn't a triumph and it also isn't some sign I've finally given in to the voices of trolls. Because my body belongs to ME–at every phase, in every iteration, and whatever I'm doing with it, I'm not handing in my feminist card to anyone."

"I refuse to celebrate these bullshit before-and-after pictures, " she continued.

 

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"Don't we have infinitely more pressing news to attend to? So much love to all my web friends who demand that life be more than a daily weigh in, who know their merit has nothing to do with their size, who fight to be seen and heard and accepted."

Preach girl, preach. 

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A lot of students try to get some real-life experience before they go out into the big bad world of work.

Sure, how many of us went on work experience in secondary school?!

Saying that, we either went off to our uncle's office, or to the local creche down the road. And, it was certainly nothing like Malia Obama's internship on the set of Girls.

Yep, in the summer of 2015, Malia, at just 17, worked on Lena Dunham's TV show, and finally, the actress has spilled the beans on how she got on.

Speaking to radio DJ Howard Stern, Lena said: "She's an angel. She was interning at HBO and they thought, what if she comes a couple days a week to the set of Girls?

"She loved the show, and I mean, obviously we weren't, like, making her go get our coffee. You're not going to send [the president's daughter] to get coffee.

"But she wanted to do all the jobs. That was the cool thing. She was totally enthusiastic."

Malia is set to start her first term at Harvard University this autumn, and has also just started an internship with Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.

We can see big things happening for this beauty.

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We only have a few more weeks until we say goodbye to Girls, but as it turns out, we shouldn't be bidding farewell forever, as a movie could be on the cards.

Fans of the show have been gearing up for its departure after almost five years, but along with sadness may come excitement as Lena wants the show to go feature-length.

 

A photo posted by Girls on HBO (@girlshbo) on

The Girls creator is pretty certain the flick will be coming to a cinema near you, but admits that it might be a while, because she wants the cast to grow and be in different places in their lives.

Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter, Girls showrunner, Jenni Konner, said: “We feel like no one necessarily needs to hear from us right now. But if someone wants to do the movie, we'll do it.”

 

A photo posted by Girls on HBO (@girlshbo) on

“I'd just want to leave enough space so that we are finding them in a super different place than we left them," said Lena in a separate interview.

We're already excited about this.

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