Gratitude Even on the Hard Days With Endometriosis

Living with endometriosis has taught me a lot about gratitude.

Not the kind of gratitude where you are supposed to pretend everything is wonderful when it isn't.

I'm talking about finding little things to be thankful for even when you're having a bad day.

Because let's be honest. Living with endometriosis can be frustrating.

There are days when your body doesn't feel like your own. There are days when you're bloated, tired, uncomfortable, emotional, or just completely over dealing with symptoms.

I've had those days too.

And I think it's okay to admit that.

You can be frustrated with your body and still appreciate it.

You can have a terrible symptom day and still find something good about your day.

You can be tired of dealing with endometriosis and still be hopeful that tomorrow will be better.

Both can be true.

Gratitude Does Not Mean Pretending Everything Is Fine

I never want women to feel like they have to be positive all the time.

If you're having a bad pain day, you're allowed to be frustrated.

If you're exhausted, you're allowed to rest.

If you're having a day where your bloating makes you uncomfortable in your own clothes, you're allowed to feel upset about it.

Gratitude doesn't mean ignoring those feelings.

For me, gratitude is more about taking a moment to notice the good things that are still there.

Sometimes those things are really small.

My morning coffee.

A walk outside.

A good book.

My dog making me laugh.

A conversation with someone I love.

A meal that made me feel good.

Having enough energy to get through my day.

Even something as simple as waking up and having a morning where I feel a little better than I did the day before.

Those little things count.

One Thing I Try to Do

When I'm feeling overwhelmed, I like to think about three things I'm grateful for.

They don't have to be big things.

Maybe I got outside for a walk.

Maybe I cooked a good dinner.

Maybe I had a really good conversation.

Maybe I laughed.

Maybe I had a day with less bloating.

Maybe I finally had some time to sit down and read.

And if I'm having a really difficult day, sometimes I can only come up with one thing.

That's okay too.

I don't think gratitude needs to become another thing on our list that we feel like we're failing at.

Keep it simple.

Try Looking at Your Body Differently

One of the hardest things about endometriosis can be focusing on everything your body isn't doing the way you want it to. Maybe you can't exercise like you used to, you don't have the energy you used to have.

Maybe your stomach is constantly bloated, your weight has changed. Maybe you have days where you don't recognize yourself.

I've definitely had moments where I've been frustrated with my body.

But I've also learned that I don't want to spend all of my time being angry at it.

Instead, I try asking myself:

What can my body do today?

Maybe I can take a long walk.

Maybe I can do a workout.

Maybe I can cook myself a healthy meal.

Maybe I can stretch.

Maybe all I can do is rest.

And sometimes rest is exactly what my body needs.

That doesn't mean I've failed.

Give Yourself More Credit

If you're living with endometriosis, I want you to give yourself more credit.

You are probably doing much more than you realize.

You're going to work.

You're taking care of your family.

You're trying to eat better.

You're trying to exercise.

You're going to doctor appointments.

You're trying to understand your symptoms.

You're probably spending a lot of time thinking about how to feel better.

That can be exhausting.

So please don't wait until everything is perfect before you give yourself credit.

You don't have to lose the weight first.

You don't have to feel amazing every day.

You don't have to have your symptoms completely under control.

You can be proud of yourself right now.

What Endometriosis Wellness Means to Me

As an endometriosis coach, I don't believe wellness should feel like another thing you're failing at.

I want women to feel like they have options.

Nutrition is important.

Movement is important.

Sleep is important.

Stress management is important.

But so is enjoying your life.

So is going out to dinner.

So is taking a vacation.

So is reading a book on the couch.

So is spending time with people you love.

So is laughing.

Your entire life doesn't have to revolve around your endometriosis.

It is something you live with, but it doesn't have to become your entire identity.

That's a big part of what I believe about endometriosis wellness.

It's about taking care of yourself while still living your life.

Try This Tonight

Before you go to bed tonight, think of three things you're grateful for. Don't overthink it.

Maybe it was your coffee.

Maybe it was your dog.

Maybe you had a good day at work.

Maybe you went for a walk.

Maybe you ate a meal that made you feel good.

Maybe you had a good conversation.

Maybe you simply had a few hours where you felt okay.

Write them down, then do it again tomorrow.

You might be surprised how much you start noticing the little things when you actually look for them.

And on the days when endometriosis feels like it's taking up too much space in your life, remember this:

You are more than your symptoms.

You are more than your diagnosis.

You are more than the number on the scale.

You are still allowed to enjoy your life.

You are still allowed to have goals.

You are still allowed to take care of yourself.

And you are still allowed to be grateful for the good things, even when things aren't perfect.

That is what gratitude means to me, not pretending everything is okay.

Just remembering that even on the hard days, there is usually something worth being thankful for.

Season Winter, Long Island Endometriosis Coach | Endometriosis Wellness & Nutrition