My first blog Living with Fibromyalgia was originally it’s own stand alone website and my initiation into the world of publicly writing about my experiences with the illness. Started during a very tumultuous and emotional time period in my life, one of my fondest memories was closing out the first year (2012) on a positive note and trying to find the good amidst the haze and turmoil that I was going through at the time. Back then, it was my intent to make this positive introspective an annual list but somewhere in the journey of Living with Fibro being absorbed into theglutenfreechefblog, this annual introspective got lost in the shuffle.
So in an effort to restart and pay homage to yesteryear I wanted to reboot this list of the
10 Positive Ways Living with Fibromyalgia Changed My Life in 2017
For as much as I hate living with fibromyalgia, I must admit that the illness has completely transformed my entire existence and I literally owe all the work that I am doing right now (including being the editor of this website) is because of my journey living with fibromyalgia. Part of being mindful is finding positivity in all of life’s challenges so without further adieu here are some ways living with fibro positively affected my life for the better in 2017.
- Fibromyalgia taught me to put myself first. I cannot do good for others if I do not do good for myself. Living with fibro means that I have to put alot of thought every second into what I do and how I do it. Self care has been crucial in helping me build two brands, write a blog, run a non-profit and all the other obligations that I take on. You cannot run on an empty cup so making sure I put as much time into taking care of my whole self is just as important in doing for others.
- Fibromyalgia helps me live in the moment. Thinking about the future and my body’s interaction with the future is full-time job in itself. In 2017, practiced more than ever existing in the moment and trying not to think too much about how a decision or activity now will impact tomorrow. By doing so I’m able to benefit from what I am doing right now and not add worry to this moment by thinking about the future.
- Fibromyalgia has given me a strength that I gets stronger every day. Life is tough. Life coupled with fibromyalgia is even harder. There were two defining moments in 2017 that I literally thought ” I can’t do this anymore” I literally wanted to go away. By the grace of God every time I feel like I can’t exist like this any longer. He gives me the spirit and the resolve I need to keep going another day. One day becomes two and 363 later another year under my belt.
- Fibromyalgia gives me courage to share the good and the bad. I made a concerted effort in 2017 to be more candid about the emotional roller coaster that I experience living with chronic illness. Even though I do my best to see the light everyday, this doesn’t mean that I feel happy at all times. Having and expressing a range of emotions is healthy and normal. I wanted to normalize this by sharing the range of feelings that I have with the world.
- Fibromyalgia helps me be easy on myself. As a type A personality I have high expectations on myself and others. Fibromyalgia picks expectations up and throws them into the river. I’ve learned to accept the moments when I’m down and not internalize these times to mean nothing more than I needed a break or I wasn’t able to at that moment.
- Fibromyalgia gives me unmatched empathy. As an empath, I literally feel everything including emotions of others. This ability to connect with folks on a deep emotional level is a blessing but if not recognized and harnessed can add to the baggage I already carry. I learned in 2017, how to better do what I can when I can for others and not carry their emotions forever.
- Fibromyalgia helps me seek balance at all times. Balance is key to my existence and in 2017 I learned how be better at balance.
- Fibromyalgia gives me wisdom to not seek perfection. In this imperfect world perfection is not attainable. Being the best I can be at any given time and doing the best with what I have is. I try to focus on this instead on perfection.
- Fibromyalgia teaches me to trust my instinct. I am a spirit and feeling driven person. If it doesn;t feel right, if it doesn’t happen organically, if I find myself trying to force anything to happen; I did a better job in 2017 with letting it go or letting it be. Everything happens if and when it needs to happen naturally.
- Fibromyalgia forces me to love surprises. I am a planner and a controller. Life can only be planned so far and I only have control over my actions and my mindset. I can’t control this illness. I can’t control life. I’m learning to love the surprises.
So there you have it. It no partucular order. All the postive ways fibromyalgia changed me in 2017. I look forward to this years lessons and continuing to live one day at a chronically ill time.
Do you live with fibromyalgia?
In what positive ways did it change your life last year? Let me know in the comments.
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