When you’re scared to meet your friends (a Crohn’s Disease pep talk)

For those of us who are considering cancelling plans because of our mutinous guts…

For those of us who don’t see how we can make it through a social engagement without needing to run for the toilet…

For those of us who don’t trust our bodies…

Do it anyway.

There are times when we’re sad, or scared, or in pain (or all three at once)…

Times when we think about how much our friends/family/social circle doesn’t understand…

When we feel alone—a loneliness that balloons in size when we consider taking it out in public…

Do it anyway.

Do the thing you want to do—

go to the party

embark on that kayaking expedition

meet your friends for coffee

commit to that weekend of backpacking

Because why? Because you need fun. You need adventure. You need social-ness like the human being you are.

The pain will pass. You will navigate your way to the bathroom. You are capable of handling far more than this—you have before, and you will again.

Take care of your guts, before and after. Give yourself time to prepare and recover. But don’t pause because of your guts.

For now, let yourself enjoy life.

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