Oh dear. Another blog post about underwear. Oh well. No point being shy. A bunch of folks tell me these are helpful.

Thread begins after this. Normal rules. Be nice or lion may try and eat you.

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One of the things I’ve learnt over the years with toileting, but especially now with my spinal cord related issues, is that choosing battles is key.

Recognising that sometimes emotions won’t be logical or even consistent. As life changes, so does the tools we use & our responses

For example, on the day we went for the recumbent ride I used sport pants and pull ups. It felt good. Closer to normal again.

Combined with limited fluids and regular loo breaks. It worked really well. Not as confident as I’d like but it enabled something.

But it didn’t last.

When I got home, I kept with the limited fluids and got into a massive anxiety / frustration / grief driven fight with myself again.

Nappies represent a literal loss of control. Especially right now. When so many other challenge exist.

I just Ignored it. Stopped drinking much.

Today on my ~3rd day of dehydration it was getting clear I had to start drinking more before I ended in A&E on an IV

So I pushed myself to drink & get changed. I cried. Threw things. Punched myself. But I did it.

And now... I don’t care again. Just underwear. It’s not important

I share this because I know a lot of people experience this cycle. For other people it’s an ankle brace.

It’s a battle we have inside ourselves and it’s important we recognise our achievements when we win

I’ve got the momentum back. Acceptance is good. Can get on with my day :)

So for anyone out there who has these sort of battles. Be it nappies or something else.

I see ya. I know how it is. Well done for what you did. Most people won’t understand but your not alone in this.

Embracing what works is often hard, in time it does get easier and easier :)