I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and costochondritis about 11 years ago. It has been quite a journey with lots of trials, tribulations, tears of sorrow/pain/fatigue, feelings of loss, defeat, helplessness, and hopelessness. But what this journey has taught me over the years is ‘life (however it is now) is a matter of perspective’.

Fibromyalgia and all it’s associated symptoms changed me and my life to the point that I could not identify with ‘who I am today and what my life had become’! I just could not get over the sense of profound loss - losing my identity (who I was), independence, career, hopes, dreams, physical health, emotional well-being, family relations (especially with loved ones who could not never understand/empathize/support), etc. However, I have reached a point in my journey, where I have learned that life does not ONLY have to be about pain, misery, sorrow, self-pity, anger, frustration, and being in a constant state of agitation.

Life can ALSO be about consciously choosing to be hopeful, graceful, and grateful; choosing to see the light at the end of the seemingly never-ending, dark, scary tunnel; choosing to see, feel, and experience the beauty, joy, laughter, and love in the smallest of things; and most importantly striving to develop a sense of peace, calm, and acceptance about how life IS rather than how it should have been.

This journey has not been easy and I don’t expect it ever will be, but I am happy to see it progress from ‘I just can’t do it/take it’ to being a ‘cautiously optimistic and hopeful work-in-progress! Stay strong my fellow-spoonies and never lose hope! You all are amazing, strong, courageous, and so worth it!!

#Fibromyalgia #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #Costochondritis #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #spooniesareawesome #StayStrong #choosehope