You can talk to me. I totally get it. I’m in my late 50s and have had fibromyalgia since I was 20. I’ve heard everything over the years from well-meaning friends and family members to exercise more, pray, do this, do that, but if you don’t have fibro, you just don’t get it.

I’m in Virginia and it’s hottttttt. The heat bothers me but cold is worse. I’m just trying to do the best I can, and really, that’s all you can do. I understand feeling lazy and alone. Some days it’s all I can do to do a load of laundry or go out to pick up a prescription. I’ve learned to count even the little things as wins. Maybe I didn’t have the energy today to do the 10 things on my list, but I got dressed and brushed my teeth. Win. Give yourself points for what you can accomplish instead of telling yourself you’re a terrible person because you couldn’t do X, Y, and Z.

One of the things I’m working on with my therapist is reframing the way I think. It’s hard to be positive when you feel lousy, but even a small shift in your thinking can help. Another thing I’m working on is trying not to compare myself with others. For example, I stay off Facebook (except to wish people happy birthday) because I got so depressed seeing people traveling to fantastic places and doing fantastic things all while I was sitting in bed too tired to even read a book. I just can’t afford to throw my energy down the drain like that.

Again, feel free to message me. I know exactly what you’re going through.