*This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Picture My IBS initiative, however, all experiences are my own and may not be representative of everyone’s experience.”
Do you mind if we have an online therapy session? I want to talk about something personal and at times scary. Having Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) the last five years has been a struggle. It’s embarrassing, life changing, and exhausting. I don’t talk much about it to anyone because of the nature of the disease and I don’t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable, but I feel a need to share some of what I experience so I can talk to others who might suffer or educate those who don’t have any experience with IBS.
But, how do I explain the nitty gritty of something so personal? My answer……through pictures and art!
I am such a visual person and am grateful for this important initiative that was developed to help those who suffer to express their feelings through art. How awesome is that?! Here are a few pieces of art that have been created by others who have IBS or supports someone who does.
Each picture is deeply personal to each artist and I appreciate the feelings displayed in each. So, I took this opportunity to create something for myself. A collage of my symptoms and feelings that I want to share with you.
Many times I’ve felt like I spent my life in the bathroom, afraid to go anywhere, and when I did venture out I would make sure I knew where the restroom was. Over time I’ve learned to live life with IBS.
A new initiative created by The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) in collaboration with Allergan and Ironwood Pharmaceuticals called Picture My IBS aims to helps those with IBS find a more comfortable way to communicate with their doctors, to share their IBS journey with others and to show others that they are not alone.
If you suffer with IBS or love someone who does I encourage you to put your feelings and thoughts down on a piece of paper. It’s so healing. It will help you communicate your feelings and share your story. Creating an original piece of artwork in whatever form allows you to best express yourself and your IBS journey. Once you’ve created your art be sure to enter it into the Picture My IBS contest. A panel of judges will evaluate submitted artwork and the Grand Prize Winner will receive a trip for two to a luxury hotel and spa in New York City, and five Honorable Mention Winners will receive a $100 American Express gift card. All winning art will also be featured on the Picture My IBS website.
You can submit a painting, drawing, sculpture, collage or any other type of artwork that meets the contest guidelines. Visit PictureMyIBS.org today for details and to enter the contest for a chance to win one of the exciting prizes.
I love the idea behind this initiative and it’s been very therapeutic to create my piece.
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Picture My IBS initiative.
*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. OPEN TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE FIFTY UNITED STATES, D.C., AGE 18 OR OVER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. THE SPONSORS OF THE CONTEST ARE ALLERGAN USA, INC. WITH AN OFFICE AT HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER; PLAZA V, SUITE 1900; JERSEY CITY, NJ 07302; IRONWOOD PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. WITH AN OFFICE AT 301 BINNEY STREET, CAMBRIDGE, MA 02142; AND THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF GASTROENTEROLOGY. APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUE OF ALL PRIZES IS $6,500. ODDS OF WINNING DEPEND ON NUMBER AND QUALITY OF ENTRIES RECEIVED. ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 1, 2016 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2017. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS APPLY. PLEASE SEE COMPLETE CONTEST TERMS AND CONDITIONS AT PICTUREMYIBS.ORG.
You also might be interested in a post I wrote a few months ago about what I have learned and ways I deal with IBS. Click the image below to go to this article.
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well such a nice information, now a days mostly people suffer from this alot and this will help them. i had go through such a good quality work on Professional 3D Animation Video Services in Dubai by which you can work on animated videos.
Oh wow, I can totally relate to this! Living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome is like navigating a daily obstacle course. Your vivid descriptions really captured the struggles we face. Thanks for sharing your experience – it helps to know we’re not alone in this journey!
Thank you for shedding light on such an important topic. It’s crucial to raise awareness about Irritable Bowel Syndrome and create a supportive community. Your openness encourages others to share their stories, fostering understanding and empathy. Together, we can break the stigma surrounding digestive health issues!
I’ve been dealing with IBS for years, and your post resonated with me on so many levels. The constant battle between wanting to enjoy delicious meals and fearing the repercussions is something many of us face. Your positivity and tips for managing symptoms are inspiring. Let’s continue supporting each other on this challenging journey!
This post hits close to home. I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability in sharing your IBS journey. It’s essential to prioritize mental health while managing physical symptoms. Your mindfulness approach is a reminder to focus on overall well-being and find balance amidst the daily challenges. Sending positive vibes your way!
As someone who loves staying active, dealing with IBS has been a real test of patience. Your tips on exercise modification and self-care are spot-on. It’s refreshing to see a conversation about IBS that includes practical advice for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Keep up the great work – looking forward to more insights!