I asked the following question on many different social media platforms. “What advice would you give to a fellow fibrofighter?” I asked. You all shared. I decided to put together a post sharing all these wonderful ideas and tips. I hope those reading these can find some comfort, useful tips and feel understood.

1. Give yourself permission to take as many breaks as you need and don’t ever feel lazy or guilty about it!

2. Slow down! Don’t push yourself!

3. Give yourself time to grieve.

4. Advocate for yourself.

5. Adaption and acceptance are long term processes, they don’t come over night. You will develop routines that help you adapt to situations better.

6. Know your limits!

7. Having compassion for yourself is so important. Take things slowly and listen to your body.

8. Learn to pace and read your body’s signals. This isn’t something anyone can teach you. It is something you have to figure out on your own. How much can you do in a day? How often you should take a break? How much exercise does your body needs and how much is too much? Only you can answer these questions!

9. Breathe. Remember to breathe!

10. Take it one day at a time. You have good days and bad days. Give yourself credit for what you can do and don’t beat yourself up over what you can’t do.

11. It is okay to be frustrated by fibromyalgia. Especially since there is no cure. Don’t dwell on it, but allow yourself to grieve.

12. Accept modern medicine will not cure fibromyalgia. Look at other aspects such as diet and exercise.

13. We shouldn’t belittle another’s pain. We feel things a little differently then the average joe. Others may not have the same pain tolerance! What may bring the average joe to their knees is something most of us deal with on a daily basis. For them it is more shocking, dramatic and immediate.

14. Don’t push yourself to the point of exhaustion, because that just makes it worse.

15. Listen to your body. If it tells you to rest, then rest.

16. Fibromyalgia is a long haul situation. Try to accept that now. I think acceptance makes life easier.

17. Don’t be ashamed to use mobility aids if you need to! It does not mean it is the end of the world. Those aids are there to help us, not shame us.

18. Find your new normal, slow your pace of life and say NO if you have to!

19. You don’t have to fight all the time. Retreat and regroup!

20. Be more purposeful with your days. By that I mean instead of just trying to get through them, try to be actively present throughout the day. Check in with your mind, body and surroundings often. Catching any off moments, can prevent the pain from getting worse.

21. Look after yourself. Do things according to how you feel and how your body feels. Don’t pressure yourself and be patient!

22. Keep up on electrolytes. We burn through them faster then people without fibromyalgia.

23. Deep relaxation and meditation helps.

24. You are not weak. Having to survive and get by in daily pain is something only tough people can do! Let the insensitive comments roll off your shoulders.

25. Find new hobbies you can succeed it. It helps take your mind off the pain!

26. Do something every day that warms your heart!

27. Do your best, because that is good enough!

28 . Do not give up. Pain is real. It is very tough, but not stronger then our hope!

29. You don’t have to try to be positive every second of every day! It is okay to say, ” this is really S***. I can’t do this today and wallow. As long as it isn’t everyday!

30. I tell myself, ” yes today is rough” and I allow myself to take it easy!

31. Don’t try to do everything all at once. Don’t feel guilty or berate if you are not able to get things accomplished. Do listen to your body. Rest when you need to.

32. Be patient and gentle with yourself. Remember every day is different.

33. What works for one person might not work for someone else. Keep trying different things.

34. You don’t have to validate your pain to others.

35. Accept that a sofa day is not being lazy, it is healing yourself.

36. Accept that not everyone will understand that your pain is real. Don’t worry about them, worry about you!

37. Don’t be scared to ask for help. If people offer you help, don’t be afraid to accept it.

38. Focus on what you can do, rather then what you can’t do! ad

39. Don’t let family or friends push you into doing more than you can.

40. Do not let fibromyalgia define who you are!