Body image after ostomy surgery is not something that resolves all at once. It is layered. It evolves. And for many of us, it comes in waves.

Intimacy and relationships are often one of the biggest unspoken fears after ostomy surgery. It is not always about physical intimacy either. It is about closeness, vulnerability, confidence, and feeling comfortable in your own body again.

When you are new to life with an ostomy, it can feel like everything is hard at once. Even the smallest tasks suddenly require planning and attention. Getting dressed, leaving the house, sleeping through the night, eating without anxiety, trusting your body. It can feel like everyone else has figured something out that you somehow missed.

What I wish someone had told me early on is this. Many of the things that feel overwhelming at first truly do get easier. Not overnight and not all at once, but slowly and steadily as you gain experience and confidence. What feels consuming in the beginning often becomes routine, and then almost automatic.

Here are some of the everyday things people are often surprised to find become easier over time.