Blog

The other day, I stopped at a convenience store to practice using a public restroom.

Someone was already in the stall.

There were only two choices.

The stall…

Or the urinal.

So I stepped up to the urinal.

And nothing happened.

A few years ago, that experience would have stayed with me for hours.

I would have wondered what was wrong with me.

I would have questioned whether I’d lost all my progress.

I might have convinced myself I was the only person in the world who couldn’t pee in a public restroom.

This time was different.

Instead of judging myself, I asked one simple question:

“How badly do I really have to go?”

The answer?

Probably only about a four or a five.

Then it hit me.

Maybe nothing was actually wrong.

Maybe my bladder just wasn’t very full.

That simple realization completely changed how I looked at the experience.

Many of us with shy bladder get into the habit of using the bathroom whenever it’s convenient.

Before getting on a plane.

Before leaving the house.

Or because we happen to walk past a restroom.

But convenience and urgency aren’t the same thing.

Just because you want to go doesn’t necessarily mean your bladder is ready.

If you ever have a “nonjudgmental no-go,” before assuming you’ve lost progress or that something is wrong, pause and ask yourself one simple question:

“How full is my bladder… really?”

Sometimes the answer isn’t that you’ve regressed.

Sometimes…

Your bladder just isn’t ready yet.