Using Past Experiences to Keep Moving Forward

Today I purchased a ticket to a conference I’ve been wanting to attend for years. For some people, such a purchase is easy. All that goes through their mind is whether the conference is of relevance, whether they have time to attend, and whether they can afford it.

While I think about those things too, they’re only part of what goes through my head because there are so many things at a conference (or big event) that can set off my IBS.

Head full of logistics

First there’s the location. Being away from home is always more likely to trigger my IBS because as my routine changes, so does my gut. And because everything is different, there’s always more stress, which in itself can trigger my IBS. Also, the longer I have to travel, and the more time zones I have to cross, the harder it is for me to adjust to the new location.

Next there’s the duration. Events that are high-paced and involve a lot of learning and networking can majorly drain me and leave me feeling exhausted. This in turn makes me more sensitive to my IBS triggers so my gut is more likely react. This means I favor shorter events or I need to find down time throughout the event to chill out and re-energize.

Then there’s the food and whether they’ll be able to cater for my needs. There’s not much worse than going somewhere for a specific purpose and then ending up so sick that you can’t participate because you’re stuck in your room. Also of concern is the food I’ll be eating when I’m not at the event, including breakfasts, dinners, or meals on the way there. If I eat something that severely triggers my IBS before the event even begins, participating is even more challenging.

Lastly, there’s the little things. What should you take to wear? What if you forget something essential? What if your bags get lost along the way and your essentials don’t arrive when you do?

It’s almost enough to make you stay at home.

The catch-22

But if you don’t go, you miss out, which is an agony of a different sort. Knowing that you aren’t getting the information you need to improve your work, knowing that you aren’t catching up with colleagues and friends, knowing that you let your fear get the better of you once more. All of which can be stressful enough to set off your IBS even without even going to the event.

Yet over the years I’ve been to many conferences and events and I’ve learned that there’s nearly always a way to manage things well enough to get some value from the event. Yes, there may be some hiccups along the way and I’ll have to deal with some symptoms – that’s the way it is with IBS. I may also need to step away from the event for a short while to help balance my stress and settle down my body. But so long as I look after myself, most things can be figured out.

But while knowing that things are likely to be okay is a good start, it doesn’t mean that I don’t still worry about them. So whenever I’m making a decision about something that will take me out of my comfort zone, I have to remind myself that I’ve always managed in the past – maybe not as easily as some other people do, but I always pull through in the end. So there’s no reason why I should let my IBS stop me from living.