By far, one of the things I hate the most about this journey of infertility is the intense, and sometimes unexpected, emotions. On the other hand, I do think these emotions are here to inform me - and I have learned a lot and grown a lot in the last 2+ years as a result of paying attention to them. But feeling so out of control (isn't that the theme of infertility - lack of control?) and so governed by them - it is hard for me.
It's like there is always this ache in my heart - this reminder of the "not yet", this waiting, this longing, this disappointment, this anger and frustration, that fills up so much of my heart and mind that my space for other things, my reservoir to respond to anything else in my life - is very very small.
I have always been a "survivor". I have always fought hard to find my way through any challenge life would bring my way. I have always valued my strength, my ability to endure. In fact, when I was 17 and was in college for the first time - I took this a step further and actually pushed my body and mind to the limit just to see how much I could take. I even managed to land myself in the hospital a couple of times that year due to exhaustion and dehydration. (I don't recommend trying to take a final exam after staying awake for 5 consecutive days - not pretty). I have also always been intensely independent. For most of my life I had to be. And now? Well, old habits are hard to break.
Really, in the last three or four years, I have been forced, against my will at times, to learn to listen better to my body, my mind, my heart. My first semester back in college, finishing my bachelors degree at 30, I broke out in hives all over my face and neck because I just couldn't take the stress like I used to. My body was rebelling. I remember an adviser reminding me of this as she helped me to craft my degree and my plans for the future. She said something to the effect that my constitution was not one that could tolerate lots of stress....I nodded in agreement, but internally I felt so much shame. Who had I become? I was supposed to be a warrior-woman! I can handle anything! Hear me roar!
I have had to learn when to say, "Enough", and "No". I have had to learn how to ask for what I need from others, to ask for help. This one is hard - and still very much a work in progress. Mr. Spicy and I revisit this almost weekly. He actually said this weekend, in the heat of an argument, "You share more about what's going on with you in your blog than you do with me." He's right, mostly. When I am happy, when I am pleased, when I am excited - I cannot wait to tell everyone I know. But when I am sad, depressed, stressed out, angry - I withdraw, it is very hard to share this with anyone, or to even know how to. I have learned in my life to only count on myself to get me through these times. It feels incredibly vulnerable, to the point of actual discomfort, to invite anyone into that space with me. And yet, I am so lonely there. It is a catch 22.
Infertility has added a whole new dimension, a whole new battlefield if you will, to this struggle for me. Not only is infertility itself a deeply personal and intimate struggle - but I am nearly constantly in a state of emotion that leaves me feeling anxious, isolated, and exposed in the presence of others. So enters social anxiety. Fun stuff. I am reminded constantly how I cannot just will myself through this. I cannot climb this mountain with my strength alone. I am forced to recognize my own fragility and brokenness. I am continually invited and coerced into relating far outside my comfort zone.
And as much as I love to talk about and celebrate transformation and growth - this shit is HARD!
This shit is really really hard.
10 comments:
I'm glad you are able to share with us, in blogland, or at our blogger meet ups. Sometimes it is easier to open up to people we don't know (or a great unknown abyss like the internet).
Does Mr. Spicy read your blog? If so, you might point out to him that you are sharing just as much with him as you are on your blog, since you are communicating with him through your blog as well. There are many modes of communication. You just have to do what feels the most comfortable for you.
From what you write on here, it sounds like you are coping. That's all that we can ask of ourselves through this-to cope.
Thank you so much for writing this post. I relate to so much that you have touched on here. Here are a few things 1) the ache in your heart that is always there (I call mine a "dimness", like the light is always turned down a bit 2) how personal and intimate IF is, but how we feel so exposed in the presence of others and 3) how we are so used to keeping difficulties to ourselves, but how with IF this is a very lonely place to be. oh, and 4) that this shit is hard
I don't have any answers, but I do want to thank you for making my lonely place a bit less lonely today. We can do this!
-Dot
Thanks Denise - Mr. Spicy does read my blog, I actually pointed out to him that if he read it daily (like he SHOULD) he would know more about what I am feeling :). I do think it is easier to relate via blog - sending it out into the unknown. I also think it is so much easier to relate, in the midst of this - to others going through infertility. I actually have already started a post for tomorrow about this very thing - stay tuned! :)
Seriously though, thank you. Your comments are always so thoughtful and kind - it means a lot. It really does.
Dot, you are making me cry! Thank you for this. It is so good to be reminded that we are not alone. (and we are not crazy either.)
I'm misty too. :)
(Thanks for your post on my blog as well, I don't really know how this all works either!)
Duffy, you know from our old talks that I can relate wholeheartedly to what you are feeling. I really have hope for you. Big hugs to you during this journey.
I think its so much easier to write about our feelings than tell those closest to us in person. At least, for me it is.
Wishing you all the best.
Wow girl. I feel like I just read my own thoughts. Take out fertility and add in a relationship and that's exactly how I feel. Hope that doesn't feel like I'm stealing your emotions in some way, but I'm astounded reading someone else's words and feeling like they could be my own.
Thank you for this beautiful, beautiful post. I feel like you just held up a mirror to my heart.
Thank you for this beautiful, beautiful post. I feel like you just held up a mirror to my heart.
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