by Irene Roth, Blog Editor/Writer
Hi Friends!
August often arrives with a unique kind of energy—summer is still here, but there’s a quiet shift in the air. The days are just a little shorter, the evenings a bit cooler, and a sense of transition begins to stir. For many fibromates, this season of subtle change can be the perfect time to turn inward, reflect, and gently begin reclaiming your voice—especially when it comes to your experiences in medical settings.
That’s why we’re calling August the Month of Honoring Your Feelings and Asserting Yourself with Doctors.
Living with fibromyalgia means dealing with invisible symptoms like chronic pain, fatigue, and brain fog. But perhaps the most invisible part of all is the emotional toll of not feeling heard, believed, or respected by healthcare professionals. If you’ve ever walked out of an appointment feeling worse than when you went in—not because of your symptoms, but because of how you were treated—you’re not alone. And you deserve better.
This month, we’re creating space to explore the deep emotional impact of those encounters and, more importantly, how to respond in ways that empower rather than diminish us.
Why August?
August can serve as a bridge between seasons—a moment to pause before the busyness of fall routines begin. It’s a natural time for reflection and gentle goal-setting. And for many fibromates, the summer pace provides a bit more breathing room to think about what hasn’t been working when it comes to medical care and to start imagining what advocacy might look like moving forward.
This month is about slowing down enough to say:
- “Yes, that appointment really was upsetting.”
- “No, I don’t have to keep going back to a doctor who doesn’t listen.”
- “Yes, I have the right to ask questions and be taken seriously.”
What This Month Will Focus On:
Honoring Your Emotional Truths
You’ll learn how to validate your own experience even when the medical system doesn’t. We’ll talk about how to process the frustration, grief, and exhaustion that come from not being believed.
Preparing to Advocate with Confidence
We’ll offer tips and tools to help you prepare for doctor visits, ask the right questions, and speak up—clearly and calmly—even when it’s hard.
Navigating Dismissive Encounters
When you’re dismissed or gaslit, it can feel like a dead end. This month, we’ll explore how to reframe those experiences and take action that protects your mental and emotional wellbeing.
Creating Supportive Routines
Asserting yourself doesn’t only happen in the doctor’s office. It begins at home with how you talk to yourself, how you care for your body, and how you choose to move forward with self-compassion.
You Are Worthy of Respect and Care
Let this month be a turning point—not necessarily loud or dramatic, but intentional. Let August be the moment you stop minimizing your experience and start standing firmly in your truth. Even if your voice shakes, even if your heart races—you can speak up. And when you do, you open the door to more honest, respectful, and healing conversations about your health.
Your feelings matter. Your story matters. And your care should reflect that—always.
Welcome to the Month of Honoring Your Feelings and Asserting Yourself. Let August guide you into a stronger, more empowered chapter of your journey.
Perfect!