This topic is all about embracing life and building confidence while living with an ostomy, especially as the new year begins. An 18-year-old shares her journey of feeling healthy for the first time in three years and sets some inspiring New Year’s resolutions. Here’s what she aims to achieve:

1. Live life to the fullest, cherishing each day as if it were the last.
2. Get organized in college to achieve good grades and follow her chosen career path.
3. Save money wisely for a holiday with friends, future university expenses, and eventual independence.

She also decides to stop worrying about dating with a stoma. Having developed resilience, she plans to be confident, reminding herself that she’s still the same person. She believes that anyone who is put off by her ostomy isn’t worth her time. The start of 2012 is already looking positive with fun nights out with friends, new friendships at college, and promising dates with someone she likes. She plans to share about her ostomy only after confirming his feelings, accepting that if it scares him away, he wasn’t the right one for her. Even though she sometimes feels down, she is determined to make 2012 her best year yet, proving her strength and showing her ex what he’s missing.

Here are some helpful insights and advice:

- Remember that you are a survivor first and foremost. Enjoy school and the new friendships that come with it.
- Consider your ostomy as “no big thing.” It even saves you from cold toilet seats! Life might seem easier without a bag, but it’s here, so handle it with confidence.
- When it comes to dating, take each day as it comes. If someone rejects you because of the bag, it’s their loss. The right partner won’t care. For example, one person met and married their spouse while already wearing a bag.
- Think of your stoma as a “perfect jerk detector.” Anyone worth your time will see the real, “new and improved” you—strong, compassionate, driven, and funny.
- Treat yourself with the same kindness you’d offer another ostomate. Never feel less than you are.
- Adopting a positive, determined attitude helps combat post-surgery lows. It’s normal to struggle at first, but confidence grows with time.