IBS C/D OH MY!

Something I’ve kept to me because, let me be honest, admitting that you have IBS isn’t the kind of thing that people just discuss.

I have grown accustom to planning my medications based on what I am doing that day.

For instance, today, I knew I would be out with my daughter and my mother. I skipped my Linzess. I wanted to be sure that I did not get an upset stomach when I was out because it is never fun to be sick when you are out. Especially if you are unsure that there is a restroom available and one that is private.

Like a gift that keeps on giving, my IBS D decided to visit anyhow. I hate that I need to rush to a restroom, and I’m embarrassed when I leave the bathroom because I’m sure that they know I’ve just been sick.

I realized today how debilitating IBS can be. I don’t take the Linzess, and IBS C happens, and with the Linzess, my body goes to the opposite, and IBS D becomes a problem.

Things I’ve avoided the past couple of years due to this gift that keeps on giving:

  • Hikes through the Hollywood Hills
  • The beach for day trips
  • Long car rides through the desert or up the coast
  • Dance classes

I felt it was time to share this. The point of my blog is to show others they aren’t alone with conditions that they may feel uncomfortable with. I hope that sharing this helps others to know they’re not alone. I do hope that over time these issues will not stop me from living the life I want to live.

Scheduling My Self-Care Routine…

On this 42nd day of my journey into blogging, I still need to schedule the daily things I do to make me feel good about myself. I even include my daily medications because taking my daily medications can be missed. I get too sucked in to “what needs to be done right now” and forget about what keeps me sane.

Since I get distracted easily, I’ve made my weekly schedule something I check off to keep myself accountable for taking care of myself. Part of this daily schedule is blogging. It seems to be something I often miss since I have not blogged for the past 12 days. What is that? The amount I’ve blogged over the past 42 days is more than I have in the past couple of years. That’s progress, not perfection, and a great example of growth.

My blog is part of my self-care. It is something that brought joy to me. My previous blog was about helping women living with PCOS to see that they can battle PCOS with grace, just as I do. I hope to get back to that. To get to be a forum where I can post things to help others and still live a fun life and share that part of me too. Finally, to continue to be honest that it’s not always easy. I’m harder on myself than anyone could be, and I hope that I can change my perspective on myself over time, doing these daily things to make me feel good.

Daily To Do Check-Off List:

  • Daily Alanon Readings & Some Writing
  • Daily Gratitude Email (7+ years strong with the same 5 women)
  • Start & End Daily Fast (If fasting)
  • Exercise
  • Clean
  • Blog
  • Meds
  • Alanon Meetings x2 per week

When in Nature

I believe being close to nature is as being close to a God or Higher Power one can have. When I’m closer to nature, I feel this connection even more.

The full moon is Friday, July 23rd, and at 7:37 pm PST, it will be its brightest.

We can get grounded and centered by placing two feet into the earth and just being. I believe that the moonlight can be healing. I believe I’m most at peace in nature.

There is something about being deep within nature that quiets the noise in my head. The noise tells me I’m not good enough or need to do more to be a whole person.

When any of us have a way of being at peace, we need to embrace it…Often.

During this full moon, I will focus on meditating on where my passions lay. I will embrace gratitude and work toward feeling more at peace within myself. I will be good to me and remember my worth.

Until next time…

Grounding