I am attempting the Wego Health Activist Writers’ Month Challenge. A post each day in April. So, now that I told you I am going to do it, I oughta follow through, right? Today’s prompt is to post about what you would say to yourself on the day you got diagnosed if you could go back.

I think today, I should focus on the food. Most of my readers come here because they want to bake and eat fabulously with just a lot less (read: none) gluten.

There aren’t a whole heck of a lot of things that make the sting of having to change your entire diet sting less. Or seem less daunting.

Well, except…

It gets better.

Dear Me, Age 22,

Oh, dollface, it really does get better. You won’t mind that people think you are weird because you can’t drink beer. Your migraines are going to ease up. You are going to feel like living again. Your immune system won’t decide that every bug should just come round for a cup of tea.

You are going to start eating better.

At first, you are going to be forced to eat better simply because 90% of the pre-made gluten-free stuff tastes pretty darn bad in 2006. And it is crazy expensive, and you are on a student budget. So, you are going to eat a lot of vegetables. And rice. And you are going to start to love Indian food because of how easy it is to eat out.

After a while it is going to be habit. You are even going to find the strength to lose 120lbs. (Don’t go back to eating junk when it starts to become readily available – or else you will gain some of it back).

You are going to feel like a new person.

You will have energy you never knew you could have (you are going to work 3 jobs your senior year, graduate with honors and with a couple of job offers – this time, don’t turn down Google, you idiot).

Your migraines are going to stop being constant. Your stomach will stop being upset after every meal. You will be less grouchy.

Your friends will come around.

Sure, it is hard for them. It was hard for you. They aren’t going to know what to say when you turn down dinner plans because you can’t eat somewhere safely. They are going to be weird when you can’t drink at a party because there is just a keg. You’ll get over them being weird, and they will get used to the new way you have to eat.

Sincerely, You, age 28