Life After Recovery – Where to From Here?

You’ve done it. You made it through surgery and the early recovery period. Slowly, you’re getting back into life. But maybe you’re wondering… now what?

Life after recovering from endometriosis surgery can feel surprisingly uncertain. There’s relief, if you have received a diagnosis and maybe some long awaited answers, but also grief, for those who didn’t get the answers they expected or to receive a diagnosis that may alter how you expected your life to look. Afterwards there may be a quiet question hanging in the air: what’s next for me?

This is a really common place to land. And you’re not alone in feeling like this.

Let’s gently explore what life after recovery might look like — and how you can step into it with confidence.

1. Recovery Isn’t a Finish Line — It’s a Transition

Surgery can be a powerful tool in your endometriosis journey, but it’s not the whole story. Many people think they’ll bounce back to “normal” — only to find that recovery isn’t a straight line, and “normal” might look different now.

Think of this not like a setback — but more of a recalibration.

Your body has changed, your energy might still fluctuate, and your relationship with pain, movement, and even trust in your body may need time to rebuild. It’s okay to still be learning how to live well with endometriosis, it’s a condition that ebbs and flows throughout your life.

2. Check In With Your Body — Not Just Your Calendar

Just because you’ve passed the 6- or 12-week mark doesn’t mean you should be “back to everything.” The better question is: how is your body feeling? Are you moving with more ease? Sleeping better? Eating well? Feeling ok emotionally?

Recovery looks different for everyone. Some people are back at work or exercise quickly, others need more time — both are normal.

This is your permission to go at your pace.

3. Keep Listening for Subtle Signals

After surgery, some symptoms may improve quickly — like deep pelvic pain. Others, like fatigue, bloating, or cycle-related pain, might take longer or come and go.

Keeping a gentle log of your symptoms, cycle, and triggers can help you tune in without becoming hyper-focused. Think of it being about curiosity, not control.

If you notice something new or persistent, don’t ignore it — bring it to your GP, gynaecologist, or physio. They’re still part of your care team, even post-surgery.

4. You’re Allowed to Want More Than Just ‘Pain Relief’

A huge part of the post-surgery journey is just getting through — through pain, through appointments, through waiting. But once recovery has settled, many people realise they want more than just “less” pain.

They want:

• To feel strong again

• To enjoy movement and intimacy

• To reconnect with their work, creativity, or goals

• To trust their body again

This is where life after recovery gets exciting — because you get to define what thriving looks like for you.

5. Set Your Compass (Not Your Schedule)

Instead of setting rigid goals, think about your overall direction. What values or feelings do you want to move toward? Ease? Strength? Confidence? Connection?

This approach — sometimes called values-based living — helps you take small, meaningful steps each day, without pressure to hit specific milestones.

Maybe that means joining a yoga class, starting therapy, planning a holiday, or reconnecting with a hobby that endo made challenging for a while.

Every small choice becomes part of your recovery.

6. Matilda Is Still Here for You

Even if you’re technically “out of recovery,” support doesn’t end here. Matilda is designed to guide you across the full journey — from pre-op nerves to long-term wellbeing.

You can revisit the app anytime for:

• Gentle movement and mindfulness

• Nutrition and cycle support

• Mental health tools

• Community and coaching

Because the truth is — endometriosis and pelvic pain can be unpredictable. Having a familiar place to return to, especially when new challenges arise, can make all the difference.

Final Thoughts

Life after recovery can feel strange. There’s space to fill, energy to use, and a whole self to reconnect with. You don’t need all the answers now!

You just need to keep showing up for yourself, one day at a time.

You’ve already done something brave. Now it’s time to rebuild, reconnect — and gently redefine what life looks like on the other side of surgery.