by Kayleigh Roberts and Christine Harris
To someone with or without Fibromyalgia “How are you doing?” can come off as small talk, an invitation, or a loaded question. It can feel like an obligation to say you’re fine for others’ supposed benefit; an excuse to list ailments and woes; or even elicit a complicated social panic.
Expression is massively vital to well-being. Letting out your feelings and running with your personality are paramount to happiness, but where is the line? What is the difference between having a pity party and expressing all of your feelings?
Expression starts with you. Often we mask how we truly feel. Finding a healthy way to listen to your mind and body is vital to expressing yourself. Discovering positive ways to honestly express yourself can take on a journey of its own.
Set intentions. Are you trying to solve a problem or brag about it? If you’re competing for sympathy, it’s time to stop. Making someone feel bad for you, will not make you feel any better; that’s not the type of validation to strive for. Focus on positives. It could be as simple as a recipe or something you saw out your window. Tell a joke that made you laugh.
Be proactive. Have you found something you enjoy or that gives you relief? Share it! Focus on steps to take care of yourself: sticking to a doable exercise plan, exercising gratitude for what you do have, making healthier choices, and prioritizing what makes you happy.
Practice Positive Psychology. Focus on Self-Love; Focus on bettering your future. Let go of the past along with anything not serving you now. Old scores are not present, move on, do what you can now.
“Self-love, my liege, is not so vile a sin
As self-neglecting.”
Build Your Strength
Slow down your breathing. Take a deep breath for a count of 5, hold it, then let it out to a count of 10. Do this breathing exercise 5 times in the morning and five times at night. It’s great to do if you’re stressed, waiting on something, or whenever. Try this Polyvagal breathing exercise everyday for 2 weeks, and see how you feel.
