10 Things Infertility Taught Me

In honor of National Infertility Awareness Week, I thought I'd reflect on how far I'd come in this journey.

1. I am stronger than I ever thought I could be. - Every step in this journey has been difficult but I did it, I survived and I kept going. I feel like I can handle anything now, because I know I have the strength to make it through.

2. You learn quickly what is actually important - I had a habit about obsessing about work, how people thought of me and silly things like being productive. In the long run, none of that really matters.

3. People who love you stick around - Infertility becomes all consuming to your life and you honestly are not the same person anymore. Those who genuinely care, won't bat an eye. Those who don't will avoid you, be insensitive and move on....let them go, they aren't worth it.

4. Advocate for yourself. - While doctors are experts, they don't always see everything. It never hurts to ask and sometimes it's the only way to get things done (or for them to look past your BMI)

5. While the trauma stays with you, you grow around it. - I am changed forever but our losses and infertility but honestly, I am so much better and stronger for it.

6. Find an outlet. - Writing this blog really helped me find a way to get the thoughts out of my head and process, find something that helps keep you sane through all the hard days.

7. You are not alone, seek out those who are or have been there. - Finding the infertility community online was essential to my survival. I was able to ask those who had been through it, what it's like, how to cope and I never felt alone. Later I got to be that person for some people and it felt so good to be someone that other infertiles could lean on.

8. Celebrate the small wins. - Progress is worth celebrating, don't get bogged down in what didn't work.

9. Sometimes goals change and that's ok. - We go into these things with all kinds of dreams and desires and sometimes they don't work out but that doesn't mean what ends up happening can't be just as fulfilling.

10. Never give up on yourself. - You are strong. You are loved. and Your life will be ok no matter what it looks like.