“This Can’t Be Normal”: How to Trust Your Symptoms Again

We’re so often taught to doubt ourselves when it comes to health. To hand over our power. To quiet our intuition.

But here’s the truth: your body knows when something’s not right—even if the test results are “normal,” even if your symptoms are brushed off, even if you’ve been told it’s all in your head.

What I see over and over again is that women are living with chronic, disruptive symptoms they’ve learned to tolerate. Not because they’re weak, but because they’ve been conditioned to ignore what their body is trying to say.

Just Because It’s Common Doesn’t Mean It’s Normal

From chronic UTIs to painful periods to cycle irregularity and pelvic pain—these things are incredibly common, but that doesn’t make them normal.

Common just means a lot of people are experiencing the same thing.
Normal means the body is functioning optimally.
There’s a huge difference.

If something doesn’t feel right in your body, it’s probably not. That’s your signal to keep investigating—even if you’ve been dismissed.

Symptoms Are Messages, Not Mistakes

One of the most empowering shifts you can make is learning to see your symptoms as feedback, not flaws.

• Recurring infections that never culture?
  
• Periods that derail your life?
  
• Needing to map out public toilets before you leave the house?
  

These are not minor inconveniences. They’re your body asking for attention.

Try Again, With Someone New

Sometimes, the right support comes after years of searching. And while that’s frustrating, it’s not failure—it’s persistence.

It might mean switching GPs. Asking different questions. Trusting the part of you that knows something’s off.
You’re allowed to start again. As many times as it takes.

A Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

One powerful belief I encourage all women to adopt is this:

“If my body is giving me a message, I trust that it’s valid—even if I don’t fully understand it yet.”

Trust doesn’t mean panic. It means listening. Staying curious. Following the thread.

To hear a powerful personal story of healing from years of chronic urinary symptoms, and how Sarah learned to trust herself again (even when doctors didn’t), tune in to Episode #18: Losing Hope? Listen to This to Rebuild Trust in Your Body”.