The Good and Bad of My IBS In The Last Decade

It is finally the year 2020, and I couldn’t be more excited to be entering a new decade because I am so looking forward to seeing my life change in many ways. When I think about the last decade, I think about how and when my IBS all started.

Doing this forces me to remember all the setbacks I experienced because of my chronic condition, but, then I also think about all the good that came from it too. Recently, I listed out the “bad” and the “good” things that happened since 2010 as an exercise to gain some perspective on how this last decade went and to begin thinking about the new things I’d like to manifest in the coming decade.

The bad that came from the last decade

• I started the last decade suffering from horrible digestive issues that I couldn’t even put a name to because doctors at the time couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me.
• I eventually had to drop out of college and lost many jobs because of this unknown debilitating condition. This was a huge disappointment to not only me but my parents as well.
• My mental and physical health began to decline.
• I lost friends and hardly kept in touch with relatives.
• I finally found out that I had a debilitating chronic condition called irritable bowel syndrome.
• I was finally able to put a name to my chronic illness and pain, but, at the time, I was still having trouble finding a doctor to take my pain seriously and/or effectively provide care for me.

The good that came from the last decade

• I was finally able to put a name to my chronic pain/illness after years of suffering from the unknown.
• Many of my friends and family started to believe me since I was able to give them a name and description to my pain.
• I exercised more than I ever had for a couple of years within the decade, just trying to feel healthy again.
• I learned so much about nutrition, diets, and exercise in general. I discovered some of my triggers and how to avoid them.
• I learned new medical terms related to my IBS condition, which helped me explain better to others what I deal with on a regular basis.
• I learned so much about other invisible chronic conditions, which opened my eyes more to society and how we should treat one other with respect because you never know what someone else is going through underneath the surface (AKA, empathy).
• With that realization and wanting those with invisible illnesses to feel less alone, I decided to start a YouTube channel called Positive vIBS Tribe, detailing my IBS journey and sharing tips, which eventually led me on a path of patient advocacy.
• I started a career as a writer due to raising IBS awareness, which I never even expected.

Looking back, and looking ahead with IBS

So much has happened in the last decade, and to be honest, this list doesn’t really do my IBS experience any justice. Nonetheless, I think it’s important to acknowledge how far I’ve come with my health, and life overall because it gives me perspective. For instance, when I was younger, I never thought I would become a person who suffers from a chronic invisible illness. But I also didn’t think I would become a content creator and writer because of it, and my content has truly helped so many feel less alone.

So, again, both bad and good has come from my IBS, but I can’t help but appreciate the experiences I’ve been through overall. During this next decade though, I hope to level-up in my journey as a creative and collaborate with others who are like-minded when it comes to advocating for not only IBS but mental health as well.

Have you ever tried this exercise to gain some perspective? If so, how well did it work for you? Feel free to share your list of “bad” and “good” times from the past decade below, followed by what you hope to manifest in the coming decade. With that being said, cheers to all of you in this new year and may you reap the rewards you work so hard for!