J-pouch Life » Type-A http://www.jpouch.net Stories: Ostomy, Ileostomy, Jpouch, Colitis, Crohn's, Surgery and Support Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:31:30 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Keepin’ it Real in the Real World with IBD. http://www.jpouch.net/2009/06/17/keepin-it-real-in-the-real-world-with-ibd/ http://www.jpouch.net/2009/06/17/keepin-it-real-in-the-real-world-with-ibd/#comments Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:54:33 +0000 Lizz http://www.jpouch.net/?p=1966 So, first off, I’m am really too white and too dorky to be throwing around phrases like, “Keepin’ it real.”  Just wanted to acknowledge that!  I am thrilled to have recently earned a position at a prestigious law firm in downtown Portland.  I am currently working as a paralegal and am super-swamped with work already!  I notice a trend when I’m working though-really, it’s a very personal thing and something that I think is common to a lot of IBD-ers/J-pouchers.  We tend to be, based on my experiences, very smart, good-looking (duh), and type A personalities.  Ironically, I can be very anal retentive, although I try so hard not to be.  After the Crohn’s diagnosis I embarked upon a major personality overhaul.  Well, I kept the sweet, adorable, witty parts, but tried to work on the neurotic, perfectionist ones.  So the bad thing is, I’m one of those people who thrives on stress.  I think it’s good for my brain and bad for my guts.  I can physically feel my body tensing up and I just feel like I’m constricting.  I am at least aware of this and do things like yoga, prayer, and simple acts of stopping to take deep breaths and remind myself to “keep things in perspective” and chill.

My new job requires me to write, a LOT, which I love, but I’m feeling really overwhelmed with my case load.  I know 99% of this is just coming into a new position and trying to become familiar with all the nuances of the work environment, people, learn how they do things, and become acquainted with my position.  I really had to check myself today though.  I had a reality check moment with myself and with God.  I just said, “Okay…I realize that I’m freaking out.  I see what will happen if I don’t get this behavior under control, I’ll get sick and have to leave another job and be unemployed again…” I know it’s something I can control, but it still shocks me how our personality types and stress levels can affect our diseases.  It’s just a pattern I’ve noticed with myself, so I’m trying to surround myself with Zen thoughts, but it’s been a rough transition so far.  It’s also a good reminder to keep things in perspective.  My job is important, but without my health, what do I have?  If there is anything good to be gained from being chronically ill, it is the appreciation for the things that matter.  Most refer to these as the “little things”, but we know better.

I’m trying to live life in the moment and not worry about things that, like my yoga teacher always said,” are no longer serving me”.  I’m enjoying my dog and my fusband (fiance+husband…we like fusband better) and learning that days go by a lot faster when you are incredibly busy!  So those moments of “little things” are already much more valuable.

Just a friendly reminder to all you workaholics out there to keep it real and be good to your guts, and yourself.

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