If I Didn’t Have IBS…

What if I didn’t have IBS? This is a thought I used to let take up a lot of space. Because having IBS and the daily struggle with symptoms, can have a negative impact on your body and mind. It has for me. But actually, a lot of brilliant things have happened because I do have IBS. The obvious being this space and community I’ve created for myself.

I always used to think that if I didn’t have IBS…

I’d be happier.

I’d worry less. About eating new things. Going to new places. Letting people down.

I wouldn’t care to know where every public toilet is located in and around London.

I’d have more energy.

But I don’t know that the above would be true. So really, for me

If I didn’t have IBS…

I wouldn’t be so in tune with my body and what it needs.

I probably would never have acknowledged my anxiety and sought therapy for it.

I wouldn’t have met some awesome people, all battling with their own IBS struggles.

I wouldn’t be working with an exciting client.

My blog would look very different. There’d definitely be less poo chat which feels like a shame.

I don’t know that I’d feel like I was making a difference.

I also doubt I’d care so much about gut health, checking my poo and cooking myself decent meals.

Who knows if I’d love a midi skirt as much as I do now.

My most used emojis would not feature the likes of ???.

I definitely wouldn’t be where I am now.

In a weird way, I have to be thankful to my IBS for teaching me so much about myself. Pushing me hard outside my comfort zone. And for allowing me to feel so passionately about something that I wasn’t afraid to speak up about it. No matter how embarrassing or TMI talking about your bowel movements feels, I’ll always be your go-to for poo chat.

Never did I think I’d feel that way. That’s for sure.