Four Things I Have Learned From Endometriosis

Living with endometriosis hasn't been a pleasant ride if I am being completely honest. I've had too many days where I wish life would just end. As scary as it is to admit that, it's the truth. A truth I think so many can relate to.

But I am still here despite it all.

A lot of that is because no matter how much of a pain in the butt endometriosis is, it has taught me so many lessons, so much about myself, and so much about life.

It is within all of that that I find the strength to keep going. To keep fighting.

Before I share what endometriosis has taught me, I want to make this one thing clear: no matter what, no matter how hard I fight and how strong I am, endometriosis will still always be hard.

I sometimes fear sharing my strength and the positivity endometriosis has brought into my life because I don't want others to misconstrue what I am saying.

To think endometriosis isn't a big deal. Because trust me, it is a big deal. It's something I refuse to let consume me. It's a part of my life but not my whole life.

So here are four things I have learned since being diagnosed with endometriosis.

I am so much more than my diagnosis

I have endometriosis, yes. But my plethora of illnesses isn't my whole story. They don't define who I am or tell me how I am going to live my life.

Do they make life a bit harder? Yes. But at the end of the day, I have control.

Instead of ending all the things I love to do because of endometriosis, like, travel, dance, and spending time with family, I figure out ways how to still do them. Ways to still be human, be me.

Because I am a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a fur mom, and a business owner - and endometriosis will not get in the way of any of that.

I am stronger than I could have ever imagined

When I was first diagnosed with endometriosis, I thought there was no way I could handle this. The daily pain and symptoms that come with it are just too much.

But as I sit here, I think about all the things I do every single day, despite the pain I am in. How I show up and go about my daily life, despite the pain I am in.

It's not easy. It is scary. I have learned that I am the bravest person I know. That I am one of the strongest humans I know.

I couldn't be any more proud of myself.

I am more than capable of creating my dream life

We all have different dreams. Mine was to become a successful business owner.

This dream wasn't a dream of mine until my endometriosis diagnosis. Realizing the 9-5 working for someone else wasn't ideal for me anymore, I knew I had to do something for myself.

I had zero faith. Between not feeling well and feeling so worthless because of my illness, I truly thought I would be a nobody for the rest of my life.

Something in me kept pushing me to do it. To start doing the things I loved and turn them into a business.

Just like everyone else, I, too, deserve a happy life. I didn't want to wake up one day filled with regret.

Fast forward six years, and here I am. A successful business owner with so many more dreams and goals I am striving for. It wasn't an easy journey; I won't lie.

It's still not easy. But it was possible, and I made it happen. Honestly, if it wasn't for endometriosis, I probably wouldn't be sitting here with my own business.

My voice matters

I have never been one to share my struggles or really anything about my life. Most of the time, I felt no one would care. Especially when it came to my health, doctors made that clear.

When I finally got my endometriosis diagnosis, I wanted nothing more than to share about it. To raise awareness, to help others, and most importantly, to help me.

I am now my biggest advocate. After being through the wringer of some pretty crappy doctors, I speak up to them. When I know something is wrong, I fight for answers.

I have done enough research and know enough about my own body that I will not let another doctor quiet my voice.

What has been something that endometriosis has taught you?