You’ve probably never thought about your pooping habits. Not really. Not in a way that matters.

You do it. You flush. You move on. End of story.

But here’s the thing: that simple daily act is actually a window into your health, your history, and your humanity. And the fact that we refuse to talk about it is doing us all a disservice.

The Conspiracy of Silence

We live in a world where we’ll discuss politics, religion, and our deepest insecurities before we’ll admit to a bout of constipation. The silence around digestion is so complete that most people would rather suffer in quiet discomfort than mention it to their doctor.

This silence costs lives. Colon cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, but people ignore the warning signs because they’re embarrassed. Constipation and diarrhoea are treatable, but we struggle alone. Gut health is fundamental to mental health, but we separate the two because one involves a toilet.

The problem isn’t our bodies. It’s our shame.

What Your Poop Actually Tells You

Your stool is essentially a daily health report. The Bristol Stool Chart categorises poop into seven types, and types three and four are the gold standard. Anything else is worth investigating.

Colour matters too. Brown is perfect. Green means food moved too fast. Black or red requires a doctor’s appointment. Pale or clay-coloured stool could indicate liver or gallbladder issues.

And texture? If it’s consistently hard and lumpy, you need more water and fibre. If it’s consistently liquid, you need to see a professional.

None of this is gross. It’s data.

The Gut-Brain Connection Nobody Talks About

Your gut produces 90-95% of your body’s serotonin—the chemical responsible for happiness, mood regulation, and calm. That means your digestive health and mental health are linked in ways we’re only beginning to understand.

Stress affects your digestion. Your digestion affects your stress. It’s a cycle that can be broken with better habits, better food, and a willingness to actually pay attention to what your body is telling you.

The trillions of bacteria living in your gut are not passengers. They’re active participants in your wellbeing. Feed them well, and they’ll repay you with better mood, better immunity, and better digestion.

The Hidden History of Sanitation

Here’s a humbling thought: the Victorians developed a sewer system that still works today. Before that, people just threw their waste out of windows. The Great Stink of London in 1858 shut down Parliament because the smell was so unbearable.

We’ve come a long way. But we’ve also forgotten some important lessons about managing our waste with dignity.

The flush toilet is a miracle of engineering—one that we take completely for granted. And the modern Japanese toilet, with its heated seats and built-in bidets, makes us all look like barbarians.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need to become obsessed with your digestive system. But you should pay attention to it. Notice changes. Talk to your doctor about concerns. And for goodness sake, stop being embarrassed about something every human being on the planet does.

The next time you’re in a public bathroom, remember: everyone there is just as human as you. They’ve all trusted a fart and regretted it. They’ve all panicked when the toilet paper ran out. They’ve all wondered if their poop was “normal.”

We’re all in this together. Might as well laugh about it.

Buy your copy of Today I Pooped. Again.
The book no-one admits to owning, (but does)! For the price – currently – of 4 rolls of toilet paper…
While toilet paper prices will always go up, Today I pooped. Again. won’t…