The end of Eden
I found it very hard to focus on writing this. My phone has been going all day and I feel completely overwhelmed by everything that has happened since my final appearance on Eden: Paradise Lost aired last night. Overwhelmed in a very positive way, because the support that Raph and I are receiving is unbelievable and words can’t describe how grateful we both are.
As you can probably imagine, the outcome of my time in Eden wasn’t what I’d hoped for — but rarely is, and the trick is to dust yourself off and try again. I’m quite pleased with the programme and how accurately it represented what happened.
I made the decision not to follow Twitter last night, as I wanted to share the episode with my partner who, in many ways, had to go through the whole 5 months with me. What we don’t appreciate when we do these things is the impact it has on the people left at home. Both Raph and I found strength in talking about our partners in there, and the realisation of how important they really are can be life-changing. It certainly has been for me.
Anyway, I was expecting to have a few messages from people but the conversation generated by last night’s programme is inspiring. I’ve spent the whole day responding, liking, retweeting and I want to thank you all for your many kind words. A lot of people can clearly relate to our experience and it’s refreshing to see people coming together around issues of bullying, misogyny, and the other themes explored by Eden. The more we talk about these issues the sooner things will improve. Let’s keep positive — this is an opportunity to show that a level-headed response will always win out in the end. I’ve learned that you need to have patience and share your views but don’t feel the need to retaliate (says the man that burnt his house down)!
Now you know the details of my story, I want to share what happened after I left. It’s just as amazing and I hope inspiring. I wrote blogs throughout the whole time and I will share them with you after the show has finished. They are quite raw as you can imagine but I think that honesty is always appreciated.
Remember: It will all be alright in the end, and if it’s not all right, it’s not the end.
Looking forward to the blogs of post Eden life, all seemed a bit unfair interested to hear your take on it after leaving
1st one coming out today 🙂
I’m horrified by what I’m seeing! It’s overwhelmingly sickening how grown men are so subhuman and immature! I admired yours and Raph’s tanasity but with the greatest respect you iscolated yourselves! This experiment has shown me how sad the human race truly is and how we are not able to be civilised and human in any situation or challenge! Trump springs to mind I’m more than one way!
Hi, thanks for your comments and you are right we did isolate ourselves, however I think personally it was for my own sanity. I’m encouraged by the amazing debate this show has created on many platform so hopefully we will see (in some small way) a change in behaviour and attitude.
Thanks again and hope you enjoyed the programme
These guys did turn ferel, I couldn’t believe that they could bully and treat the others like that. Very uncomfortable watching homophobic views and disgusting way they were wanting the animals killed because they wanted meat. What happened to the vegetarian when the chef wouldn’t cook for him? If the gay man stayed to the end he deserves the money that bullies got after the way they treated him. I applaud Anton and his friend, was delighted when they burnt the place down though heartbreaking at the time, the bullies got rid and then expected to move in. Got to admire Katie for sticking it out, and what’s really annoying is that lot are saying there was no bullying. I must just watched a different programme. Looking forward to reading Anton’s bulletins.
Hi Olive, glad you liked the show… it does look like Raph and i got out at the right time and I must admit I was horrified by what I saw in the next episode. Thankfully it has generated a lot of positive discussion about how we need to change and behave to others.
Thanks again, Anton
I think the (only?) positive lesson from the Eden tv shows is that – as is so often the case in life generally – it pays to follow your instincts and abide by your own principles even when the peer pressure to do the opposite is overwhelming. You demonstrated that and deserve the love that’s come your way on Twitter and elsewhere when people saw.