When everyone was discouraging me from making different choices for my life, Jesse was always there to encourage me to live my own life and make my own mistakes. Knowing he was just a text or call away gave me so much strength and courage to confront the world.
Tag Archives: support
Daddy Issues
This experience has negatively impacted every aspect of my life. My physical and mental health have suffered. I felt (and still feel) traumatized and furious that this happened to me.
My IBD Purse
I was diagnosed with severe Crohn’s at eight years old. Getting through each day was such a struggle but over time I learned how to better prepare myself for being out in the world. I had to plan ahead for any possibility every time I left the house. Eventually that turned into carrying a giant purse with literally everything but the bathroom sink. Here is a list of the basics I made sure to never leave home without.
College & Crohn’s
It was an incredibly lonely time in a life full of loneliness but it’s also when things really started to turn around for me.
The Body Keeps the Score
Dr. van der Kolk stated, “The bodies of child-abuse victims are tense and defensive until they find a way to relax and feel safe.” When I started trying to take better care of myself, I decided to get a massage. The first time, and several after to be honest, were not very pleasant or relaxing. I would often still feel just as tense or even more so when it was over. The masseuse would keep saying, “You can relax now,” and I would be so confused because I thought I was relaxed.
Only Me
A lot of assumptions are hurled at only children. People just assume you’re a spoiled brat who has been handed everything you could ever want in life. They just assume things were calm and peaceful in your household because it was just you and your parents must have been so attentive to your every whim. They assume you’re socially awkward and don’t know how to make friends or interact with people. They assume you’re still spoiled as an adult and have always had a great support system. That was not my experience whatsoever.
The Mind-Body Connection
What we think, we feel. Let’s look at the Mind-Body Connection.
Bathroom Battle
When you have IBD, you often feel like you’re in a battle for the bathroom. Here are some tactics to conquer the bathroom battle.
Bird by Bird
Book Review: Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
Lucky
When someone tells you, “You’re just lucky,” and dismisses all your hard work and dedication.
A Texan's Fitness 