Finding My Way Back: Living with Ulcerative Colitis

Living with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) has been one of the most difficult journeys of my life. Diagnosed in 2013 after a frightening health scare, UC has shaped so many aspects of how I live—what I eat, how I plan my days, and even how I manage my emotions. It’s not just a condition that affects the body; it takes a toll on the mind and spirit too.

Over the years, I’ve tried everything to find relief—supplements, elimination diets, home workouts, medications that worked for a time but eventually failed. Two years ago, I felt like I was finally on the right track. A new biologic medication brought hope, and I started working with a nutritionist to rebuild my gut health. I joined a gym, created a plan, and felt motivated for the first time in years.

When Life Hits Pause

But life doesn’t always go according to plan. In early 2023, I found out I was pregnant with my fourth child. While it was a blessing, it also meant putting many of my health goals on hold. Morning sickness, food aversions, and flares made it difficult to stay on track.

Halfway through my pregnancy, I faced a lung infection that led to surgery and weeks of recovery. By the time I was physically able to move again, my focus had shifted to simply surviving the rest of my pregnancy and caring for my three older children. After my baby was born, the postpartum period brought its own set of challenges, including depression that hit me harder than I expected.

At the start of 2024, I turned to art—a passion I had neglected for years—hoping it would be the solution to what I was feeling. Picking up a pencil again felt like reconnecting with a part of myself I thought I had lost. For a while, it worked. Drawing brought joy and gave me an outlet to express everything I was carrying. But as helpful as it was, it wasn’t enough to address the deeper issues.

The Power of Basic Needs

By late summer of 2024, I realized I needed more support. That’s when my therapist entered the picture, and she helped me understand something that changed everything: it’s all connected. Poor gut health can lead to depression and anxiety, and those emotions can make gut health even worse.

With her guidance, I began focusing on what she called my basic needs—sunlight, self-care, and giving myself the space to simply be. She reminded me that even in the chaos of motherhood and managing a chronic condition, I need to carve out time for myself. These small shifts, like stepping outside for a few moments of sunlight or saying no to things that drained me, started to make a big difference.

I also began to see how much I had neglected myself over the years. I wasn’t just physically inflamed; I was emotionally drained. Therapy gave me the tools to start setting boundaries and creating space for my own well-being.

Finally Feeling Light Again

Now, as I reflect on everything I’ve been through, I feel like I’m finally turning a corner. Thanks to new medications that have significantly reduced my inflammation, I feel lighter—both physically and emotionally. The urgencies and flares that once dictated my life have eased, and for the first time in years, I feel like I can breathe again.

The emotional shift has been just as powerful. I can laugh more easily, hug my kids and feel the love in those moments, and appreciate the beauty of the world around me—things I once felt disconnected from. The simple joy of watching a sunset and feeling its warmth is something I don’t take for granted anymore.

Living with UC is still a daily journey, and I know there will always be ups and downs. But for the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful and present. These two years may have been paused in some ways, but they’ve also taught me resilience and the importance of listening to what my body and mind need.

Here’s to this new chapter—one of healing, growth, and embracing life fully.