Gifts My Ulcerative Colitis Gave Me

I’m a firm believer that there’s always a lesson to be learned. A moral to the story, if you will. All situations in our lives, good or bad, teach us something. Sometimes, our responses to the really big things in life end up changing us, or even defining us.

My ulcerative colitis diagnosis was a defining moment that changed the shape of the rest of my life. I didn’t know it at the time, but a simple conversation with a friend last week stemmed into a discussion about all the ways my ulcerative colitis has changed me for the better. Weird, right? Most of us tend to think of the negative impacts of a health issue. But it’s not all bad, you see?

My ulcerative colitis helped me find balance. In high school, my dad would often accuse me of “burning the candle at both ends and in the middle.” I always told him he was being ridiculous, but the truth is, he was right. I am a passionate person and tend to get caught up in doing a whole lot of things. I find so many different things interesting that I chose not to prioritize. Instead, I did everything and was always exhausted.

That’s just not possible anymore. So, I learned to take a step back and decide what’s really important. I take time for myself, and I try really hard not to take on too many things at once. It doesn’t always work, but I am finding a much better sense of balance.

This guy is really high on that list.

My ulcerative colitis has made me more resilient. One of the most alarming experiences in my life was looking at my intake paperwork for my first colonoscopy, five years later. It said things like, “I am completely miserable. Nothing makes me feel better. I don’t know what makes it worse.” I was shocked to see those words in my own hand writing, partially because I couldn’t remember feeling that bad. (Unfortunately, I got to remember it again this summer, but that’s neither here nor there.) I was amazed at my body’s ability to fight, bounce back, move on, and protect me from those memories. My daily battle with UC has taught me that I am stronger than I imagined and I can fight through things I once thought to be impossible.

My ulcerative colitis has taught me about the power of a positive attitude. Sometimes, it would be really easy to throw myself a pity party. Okay, okay, sometimes I do throw myself a pity party. Once in a while it feels good to let it all out, but a positive attitude goes so much farther. Thankful Things Thursdays are a great example of just how many things in my life are really, really good. Focusing on what is good takes the emphasis off the bad things and helps them to fade into the background. Instead of “why me?” It’s “why not me?”

Some good things about my Saturday.

My ulcerative colitis has taught me that there are times to tough it out, and there are times to take a break. I probably learned this lesson in the biggest way this summer, when I had to stop training for my Half Ironman. In endurance sports, and in life, there are times when you feel like you’re at your limit, but you’re not. You’re being a wuss and it’s time to pull on your big girl (or big boy) pants and get it done. There are also times when you really do need to take a step back. So how can you tell which situation it is? Take a tiny step back and be completely honest with yourself. If you listen really closely, there’s a nagging voice telling you the correct answer.

My ulcerative colitis has taught me the value of surrounding yourself with good people. I am so lucky that I can say, “I’m so sorry, but I just can’t tonight,” or cancel plans last-minute when IBD strikes and my friends don’t question it. Even though I know my friends who don’t live with Crohn’s or colitis won’t ever really understand, they are understanding, and that makes all the difference.

These girls rule. So do lots of other people in my life. You know who you are. (Photo: Becky Hill Photography)

What about you? What life lessons have you taken away from less-than-stellar situations?