How Can You Thrive In The Coming Decade with Endometriosis?

The end of a year is upon us. Perhaps your endometriosis has been up and down throughout those ten years or maybe it’s been non-existent.

Whatever has happened, that’s now the past, and you have a new and fresh decade ahead of you that you can take control of. Yes, endometriosis can do its own thing, it can vary from person to person and there’s no cure – but there are things you can do.

The first step is to ask yourself – what do you want for the next ten years?

Setting goals

Moving into 2021 with the idea that you want to feel better is a great start, but probably not enough to give you direction or a plan. It can also be pretty damn overwhelming. So get clear on some of the goals that you specifically want to work towards, and how you can work towards them.

What are your priorities?

Think about what endometriosis means for you. Is it chronic pain, chronic fatigue, brain fog, bloating? What hinders you the most? What one thing could you change, that would have a positive impact on the rest of your goals and health? For example, is your fatigue so bad that you can’t even think where to begin with your pain? Then start there. Make fatigue your priority, and then when you have improved that and you’re in a rhythm of positive habits to address it, move onto the pain.

Make a plan

The next step is to clearly make a plan. So your number 1 goal is to beat that fatigue? Great. What do you need to do to get there? What commitments do you need to make to yourself? What will have to go on the back burner? Will your priorities need to change? Get really honest with yourself. Think about your reality now – outline what’s helping you and what’s hindering you.

Do you have a glass of wine at night to help you fall asleep and cope with the pain? I hate to say it, but that’s going to be affecting your quality of sleep, and finding a better evening coping mechanism will really support your rest and energy!

Maybe you spend your evenings rushing trying to keep on top of the household stuff? Could you partner help out more? Could your children load the dishwasher with you (if you have them, so you can finish up a bit earlier)? Are you using your laptop late at night? Could you create some boundaries around the times you use technology or even just get some blue blocking glasses?

Do some research into the area you want to change, and start identifying what you can add to your life and what may need taking away.

Find a way to measure progress

Then make a plan – a plan that’s realistic and feels exciting and possible, rather than daunting and boring. Is it a yearlong commitment, or a six-month time frame? Create a way of measuring your progress so you can feel excited and proud as you notice change.

Now, we’re all human, and everyone needs some level of support. So the final step is to get clear on what you’ll need to keep you going. Inspiration, motivation, accountability? Can you text your best friend every night to say what time you’re in bed, to ensure you stick to that 9pm bedtime? Can you join an endo support group or even get a coach?

Whatever you need to keep going, just know that all of us fall down sometimes. Change is about persistence - be kind to yourself and look towards the future with hope.