Experiencing Wellness: A Journey of Discovery and Gratitude
The sensation is surreal. “I’m well,” I whisper to myself, almost in disbelief. Finally, I’ve transcended the battles with health issues, no longer wrestling with elusive diagnoses or scouring for the root cause of my suffering. It’s liberating to shed the weight of unknown afflictions that once shackled my body and mind.
Gratitude fills me daily as I revel in the newfound wellness, even as I lament the years lost to chronic illness. Reflecting on missed signs, I can’t help but feel a pang of foolishness. Yet, my heart aches for those who may still be ensnared in similar struggles, unaware that relief from muscle aches, nausea, and digestive woes is within reach.
What does it feel like, this state of wellness? It’s nothing short of bliss. But it’s a sentiment reserved for those who’ve weathered the storm of chronic illness; for them, it holds profound significance. Others, blessed with lifelong health, may struggle to grasp its depth. They’ve never known the euphoria of waking without migraines, the relief of pain-free joints, or the simple joy of a settled stomach.
An unexpected shift occurred. I no longer have a desire to travel. I no longer have a fear of missing out, replaced by contentment in the simple act of stepping outside, unhindered by bedridden days.
Finding a safe diet
After I knew that my diet, environment and even the water I drank definitely made a huge difference, I set about in an almost scientific study to identify individual foods, substances and influences that cause ill effects and their symptom outcomes. Being able to find a baseline safe diet is critical as many people in the salicylate intolerant population know on some level is that when you aren’t feeling well you revert back to your safe diet, be that chicken and rice and little else, or some similar diet, we all have one and it’s our safety blanket.
With the aid of diet tracking apps, I fine-tuned my dietary choices, isolating problematic ingredients and their effects. Though the journey continues, marked by ongoing tests and suspicions, I find solace in the wellness I now enjoy. My hope is that others too may navigate their path to health, persisting in their quest, trusting in their data, and scrutinizing every ingredient along the way.
