by Irene Roth, Blog Editor/Writer
Happy New Year Everyone!
Many of us feel less than others because of our fibromyalgia. We feel slower and less able to live a life that’s fulfilling and meaningful.
Most people set resolutions at this time of year. As the clock strikes midnight, people are filled with hope and happiness. But is this really the way it is with fibromates?
For the first decade after I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, I always dreaded January 1st. I believed that it was going to be the same old stuff again this year, pain, fatigue, sleepless nights, stress, and an uptick of my other comorbidities.
At the end of 2015, I had an aha moment while I was journalling. I wondered what if I changed my mindset towards getting ready for a brand-new year? What if instead of dreading the upcoming year because of all the hopelessness that I was feeling inside my heart, I reframed my thoughts?
Friends, that made a real difference for me in not only creating positive intentions for the new year but also having a happy and purposive year.
Instead of focusing on all the things I couldn’t do, I started focusing on what I can do, such as pace myself, start a gratitude practice, slow down so that I can enjoy things more, and especially to be self-compassionate and kind to myself.
The benefits of changing my mindset were quite immediate. I was able to enjoy the new year more and I no longer dreaded midnight on January 1st. Instead, I started looking forward to it with anticipation and hope.
I started setting small, realistic goals, working within my abilities and comorbidities, forgiving myself if I didn’t complete goals that I set out to accomplish because I was having a bad day or week, and above all being self-compassionate towards myself. No longer did I push myself to do things that I knew would only make me feel worse and experience more pain.
Friends, we must remember that we’re not damaged individuals just because we have fibro. We don’t have to resolve to a minimalist life where we just do the minimum. Because when we do, our self-esteem and identity will be impacted.
Instead, we need to approach each year with determination that we can pursue our goals, we can live a life that’s purposive and meaningful, and we can do so in such a way that will give us more hope and resilience.
Fibromyalgia need not rob you of your true identity and self-worth. You can still set and complete goals. You just have to set realistic goals that you can comfortably complete, with space for those hard days when you may have to practice self-compassion and take the day off.
So why not sit down and set some goals for yourself? This month, I will discuss how you can set small, achievable goals. In the meantime, sit down and write down five things you’d like to achieve this year.
May your year be filled with happiness, love, purpose, and self-compassion!
Lots of Love!
Hi Teri,
Thank you for visiting our blog!
I’m so glad what I wrote resonated with you. Compassion is so important in normalizing our journey of living with fibro.
Please come and read our blogs again soon!
Take care,
Irene
This is a great message. Thank You. I’ve mentored young women for many years and have always offered them compassion when they’re trying so very hard to do everything. I share that they can do everything they want, can have everything – just not at the same time. Your post essentially says the same thing to us. It normalizes the journey we are on.