Welcome to The Living Well Letter! You’re receiving this a little late because I was traveling this week — enjoying time with my husband, hiking beautiful trails, and yes, even sampling some local food.
I know many people struggle with travel after a gastroparesis diagnosis. It’s true that it requires extra planning, preparation, and flexibility, but for me, it’s worth the effort. In the past year, I’ve visited places like Costa Rica, Edinburgh, and the Great Smoky Mountains, and while none of those trips were free of discomfort, I made incredible memories and had wonderful experiences along the way.
Being able to do the things that bring us joy, excitement, and special moments with those we love — whether that’s travel or something else entirely — is a significant reason most of us want to feel better in the first place.
But these things don’t have to wait until you've gotten to a place you call “living well with gastroparesis.” Rather, it seems to me, they’re a vital part of the act of living well with gastroparesis. Of noticing and embracing opportunities to feel fulfilled, regardless of the circumstances you currently find yourself in.
So my suggestion this month is to do something that you enjoy but might’ve set aside since your diagnosis, whether because you’ve been solely focused on fixing your health or because of worries and uncertainties.
It doesn’t have to be as elaborate as a vacation. It might be seeing a movie with your kids, meeting a friend for coffee, going to a concert, or taking a day trip to the beach. Maybe it’s time to get back to your book club or the place where you volunteer. Whatever it is, pick a day, make your plans, and go for it.
Know that it might not be perfect. You might not feel great. You might have to do some preparation that you’d rather not or set some boundaries that feel uncomfortable. Maybe you’ll have to cut the activity short this time. But I’ve found that the more you expand what you allow yourself to do and experience, even when your life doesn’t look the way you want it to, the closer you get to a life that feels the way you want it to.
I’d love it if you’d reply and let me know what you plan to do! And keep reading for some more inspiration and a very important PSA…
Speaking of travel, did you know that Samatha went on an epic seven-week, around-the-world vacation with her family last year — all while navigating gastroparesis, psoriatic arthritis, and her son’s special needs? She told us all about it on the Living Well Pod, and it’s a true testament to finding joy and living well in the midst of symptoms, struggles, and uncertainty. Listen now.
A couple of weeks ago, I discovered something that absolutely infuriated me: about 80% of the “gastroparesis books” on Amazon appear to be written by people who have absolutely no expertise in gastroparesis — and worse, several of them are claiming to be written by doctors or dietitians who don’t even exist.
Watch my 90-second summary of this dangerous trend or the full video where I tell you how to make sure you’re selecting legitimate resources that can provide helpful advice. And be sure to keep reporting these listings when you see them. Sadly, all of the books I discussed in these videos are still being sold on Amazon...
Living Well with Gastroparesis Program
After 15 years of helping people live well with gastroparesis, I’ve recently put all of my best advice, tips, answers, and insights into a single online, on-demand resource called the Living Well with Gastroparesis Program.
*Subscriber discount: use code LETTER to save 20% until May 31.
One-on-One Coaching
If you’re looking for more hands-on support, I recommend reaching out to LWWGP-Certified coaches Samantha Cook and Stefanie Maira. Both have gastroparesis themselves and have been trained by me in the Living Well with Gastroparesis approach. Whether you’re looking to navigate the emotional strain with Samantha or find a more sustainable, practical rhythm with Stef, they’re both wonderful resources for helping you move gastroparesis out of the center of your world so you can spend more time focusing on what you actually enjoy. Learn more here.
Connect with Crystal...
YouTube: @csaltrelli
Instagram: @csaltrelli
Website: www.LivingWellWithGastroparesis.com
Connect with Samantha…
Instagram: @thrivingwithgastroparesis
Website: www.transformative-psych.com
Connect with Stef…
Instagram: @stef.maira