Yeah, I said it. There are some good things about having fibromyalgia…It’s just took me a while to figure out what they were.

1. I can now predict bad weather.  That’s right. You no longer need to watch the news or visit weather.com, just call me (maybe I’ll answer) and I’ll tell you, because from the moment there is a shift in the weather my body knows it.
2. I can relate to older people. You’ve got a pain in your back, side, arm, elbow, neck? Feeling weak and creaky? Can’t remember where you left…wait, what was it again? Wonder why everybody is moving so fast?…Well, I do, too. Let’s commiserate and wonder how we got here.
3. I’ve hit a personal low. So, I can only keep going up from here on out.  There’s nothing quite like losing utter sense of self, having your livelihood stripped from you, and becoming reclusive. It put so many things in perspective, which leads me to…
4. I’ve learnt to keep things real simple. Drama? No, thank you. I’m interested in the direct line from point A to B. Fix the problem or remove it.
5. I’m mentally stronger.  Oh, I used to get bogged down in so many emotional situations that I really had no business being in…just because I thought these four little words: I can handle this.  I applied those four words to all sorts of situations: work, relationships, life changes, etc. What I’ve come to learn is that even if I am capable of “handling” a situation, it doesn’t mean I should.  In the end, the stress of unwarranted drama (i.e. drama for the sake of drama) only leaves me feeling emotionally and physically ill.  And no, I do not think you are mentally strong if you subject yourself to situations that will only increase your stress levels. Mental strength, to me, means being able to make the tough decision of not getting involved when there isn’t a need.

What about you?

What is it about having fibromyalgia that you have come to appreciate?