Living with UC? Good news: there's a silver lining.

Still, there can be benefits (and even a few blessings) that come with having ulcerative colitis.

It can take time to get to a place of peace – especially for patients newly diagnosed.

"Once you’ve worked through the darkest days, you can slowly open your heart to the great things that happen even though you have a gut gremlin. For example..."

–Caitlyn Smith, Contributor for The Mighty

2. You have a keen sense of where every bathroom is.

3. You have an increased sympathy for stomach pain in others.

5. You have a permanent excuse to live in leggings or sweatpants without judgment.

"I’ve met some of my very best friends because I took the opportunity to seek out a network."

6. The opportunity to dive into a new community, one that can support you and one that might need your support.

8. You will talk openly about probably the most embarrassing thing there is to talk about in a social setting.

9. You are pushed straight out of your comfort zone at an accelerated pace.

"And I mean anywhere – amiright?"

10. You can literally go to the bathroom anywhere.

Hear from medical experts and 50+ people living with UC, including a health care discussion guide, symptom tracker, and more.

Ulcerative Colitis Condition Guide