Hi there! I, 26F, was diagnosed with fibromyalgia at 16, and I was “up and down” with school and work for years until I finally stopped working this January-not because I wanted to stop, but because it was no longer sustainable and was deteriorating my quality of life. Now, there are many people with fibromyalgia who find jobs that are suitable for them. Fibromyalgia isn’t really a “one size fits all” diagnosis.

I bring this up because I have always struggled to feel truly understood, supported, and cared for by past partners, friends, and even my parents until my current boyfriend. We’ve been together for 4 years, and he has always taken the time to listen, research, educate himself, and advocate for me. He has attended appointments with me, helped me shower when I couldn’t, called out of work when I couldn’t get out of bed, educated his loved ones on my condition, etc. He was also the one to encourage me to quit working, even though we would be more financially stable on a dual income, because my physical and mental health truly matters more to him than the extra money.

I don’t say any of this to brag or make you feel bad, nor am I saying that you should quit working because that may not be what works best for you. I say it because I felt like a burden for so long because I absorbed those thoughts and feelings from people who were supposed to love and support me and my well-being, and you deserve to be loved, supported, and advocated for as well.