Blooming Through the Mud: A PCOS Story of Resilience

It has only been a year and a half since receiving an official diagnosis of PCOS, and this past year has held some of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. At first, I felt as though I was navigating a never-ending maze with so many setbacks that would push me to give up. But over time, PCOS became my teacher, providing lessons in resilience, emotional growth, and the art of giving myself grace. Resilience is not rigid but instead gentle, a harmonic connection between the mind, body, and soul.

Before receiving my diagnosis, I was very impatient with the symptoms that I had cultivated; I never listened to my bodily responses to what I ate and overall neglected the attention it needed. Ignoring symptoms like fatigue or my hormonal imbalances only amplified my struggles. I’m not saying I didn’t take care of myself, but my eating habits were among the most terrible, which most definitely added to obtaining PCOS. I discovered that to be resilient is to be present, truly listen without judgment, recognize needs without guilt, and respond with compassion. Cultivating this deep sense of listening connected me to my emotions, which amplified my awareness of what my body needed.

While I am not a Buddhist, the lessons I’ve learned from books about the Buddha are very significant to me. The Buddha teaches that ignorance is the root of suffering, and I have found this to be greatly true in my journey with PCOS. As I began to educate myself, I realized that ignorance was not only external, it was internal as well. The fear I carried stemmed from not understanding my body and feeling powerless in the face of my condition. Fueling my mind with knowledge played a vital role in understanding hormonal health, nutrition, and lifestyle adjustments that could support my health long-term. Every piece of wisdom I gained became a tool for healing and transformation. Start small, slow down, and feel gratitude for every step in your journey, it is such a privilege to learn. Resilience is fueled by curiosity, the courage to ask questions, seek understanding, and be unafraid of failure. Ignorance may result in suffering, but the chase of knowledge cultivates freedom and hope.

Life with PCOS is not one straight, narrow road; my body will continue to evolve in unexpected ways. A mistake I made in the past is cultivating the idea that resilience is to be hyper-productive. Googling “PCOS cure” at 3 a.m. didn’t exactly help. Resilience, I’ve realized, is not about clinging to control but instead adapting to circumstances with grace. With PCOS, it is extremely important to embrace change because change is an opportunity for growth. Change has taught me to embrace flexibility, be open, and trust in my ability to adjust and move forward.

I created this platform not to claim to be a PCOS expert but to share my knowledge and learn from others’ journeys. One of the most inspiring teachings I’ve cultivated from my experience is the concept of interbeing, the understanding that we are all deeply connected. For the first few months, I tried to manage PCOS alone, believing resilience meant bearing the burden in silence. But as I found the courage to open up about my struggles, I discovered the immense power of community; I found that connection is a source of strength. Resilience is magnified when we draw from the collective well of support, empathy, and shared wisdom.

PCOS continues to be a journey that I walk on, not a battle that I have fought and won. It has taught me the importance of balance when it comes to self-discipline and grace. The struggles with my symptoms are not setbacks but instead stepping stones, guiding me toward more knowledge and curiosity. I write this to tell you to trust your journey and honor the growth you have cultivated along the way. Like the lotus that blooms in muddy waters, our strength will emerge from the depths of our struggles.