Category: Pain Management

Daily Blogging & Writing Fearlessly

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On Via Fori Imperiali

On Via Fori Imperiali (May 2015)

I’m almost certain that many writers spend time thinking about how to write more, why they aren’t writing more, when they can write more, if they should write more, if they can write more. I’m no exception.

Lately, I’ve been writing, but not publicly. I have an awful tendency to stop writing because I believe I have nothing of interest/importance to state–usually, that translates into “I feel like crap about myself in the world.”  I recognize that writing about true feelings/thoughts not filtered through psychobabble scares the living daylights out of me.  Seriously.

It is a scary thing just to write “I feel…” and not add something about Freud or CBT or DBT immediately before or after it.  What would it mean to simply state my feelings, my thoughts unfiltered, uninhibited in my own little virtual space?  Who knows. This, however, is the starting point.

It’s a promise to myself. Every morning, I will write something, anything on this little blog of mine. It may interest you. It may bore you to tears.  The point, however, is that I am writing what is honest/authentic/true for me. I hope you’ll continue to give me your support.

Also, I an starting a health journey daily vlog upon my return to the US.  It will run from May 25-August 15, and will be tracking my progress with taking better care of my overall (but mostly physical) health, including diet, exercise, hair, skin, etc. I am really ready to commit to a healthy vegan and natural lifestyle, and I would like to document that process. So, wish me good fortune on that as well.

Sometimes it’s when we are about to experience enormous change that we truly recognize the direction in which we are heading.

Until Tomorrow,

D.

FMS | Challenge Yourself to Do Less: Expect Nothing, Celebrate Everything (Fibromyalgia)

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8f304-blackwomansick1Being in pain, bedridden, forgetful, and generally low-spirited can seem to be the name of the game when it comes to having fibromyalgia–It doesn’t have to be.

It’s super-easy to get bogged down in the reasons why having fibromyalgia sucks: you can’t do this, you can’t do that, etc., etc.

Well, how about focusing not on the moment that’s sucking the life out of you, but the possibilities of the next moments?

I’m usually big on being mindful to moment, but let’s be serious: there are some moments that it’s just not worth it. And reflecting on the past can be a double-edged sword. You can begin to mourn who or how or what you used to be, instead of focusing on the positives of the past.

So, it might just be useful to look forward to the unknown future. Allow yourself to dream your possibilities, and then…

let them go.

Yes, let them go.  Whatever you imagine that you can or will do and that you can or will be, let it all go. Why? Because in letting go of having to do or be something, you begin welcoming freedom into your life.

Imagine not having to live up to anyone’s expectations, not even your own. Imagine not having to live in the shadow of your past self or in the pain of your present self. Can you imagine that? I can and do.

Now, when I imagine what I can/will (a.k.a. should be able to) do something, I take several steps back, and tell myself two words: do less.

For example, If I tell myself I can/will do 10 minutes of yoga, then I tell myself I shall do 5 minutes of yoga. If after 5 minutes, I can actually do more, then that’s a bonus.

In other words, challenge yourself to create opportunities for success.

Everyone needs that, especially we who have fibromyalgia.

Take small steps. Expect nothing of yourself. Celebrate everything that you do.

D.

FMS | Make this Year a Body+ Fibromyalgia Year – Love Your Body.

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Image from warriormindcoach.com. Click to visit.

Image from warriormindcoach.com. Click to visit.

If you have fibromyalgia (or perhaps any chronic illness really), sometimes it may feel like you are in a constant war with your body.  It doesn’t work the way you want it to.  Perhaps you feel that you can no longer trust your body and that it has betrayed you–I know I felt like this for a really long time.

Over the past year, I’ve worked hard to come to terms with my body and its capabilities.  I’ve come to realise that it’s not about what my body cannot do or can no longer do. It’s about what my body can do, and how I can change my thoughts and actions so that it can do more.

Having fibromyalgia has allowed me to slow my thoughts down to fall into step with my body.

Yes, I move slowly sometimes, and when I do I get the chance to see the world around me more. Yes, I am in pain sometimes, and when I am I get the chance to feel a heightened sense of empathy with those who are suffering around me.

There are many negative ways that you can spend time thinking about your illness. Still, who wants to live like that? 😉

I made a promise to myself that this year would be a body positive fibromyalgia year. Actually, every year from this point forward will be that.

I resolved to learn what are the positive ways that I can think about my illness…and its impact on my body.

So, love your body, embrace your illness, rebuild trust with your body and take one more step on your path to happiness.

D.

FMS | FibroArt Monday!

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the shame of pain by Stacy M. Ihlenfeld. Click to visit her blog on WordPress.

Art is by blogger Stacy M. Ihlenfeld, who is also an artist and musician.  Visit her blog “still smihlen” to see more of her wonderful pain awareness art.

Vlog| Travel & Fibromyalgia in Italy: What I Learned Moving to Rome.

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DSC_00121

Travel and fibromyalgia–from everything I heard and knew before I moved to Italy, travelling was something that I probably wouldn’t be doing a lot of because of the potential negative impact it could have on my body.

Still, I decided to do it. 😉

In these videos, I talk about my decision to move to Italy, how I prepared and what I have experienced while living in Rome and dealing with my fibromyalgia symptoms.

Thank you for watching! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me! 🙂

Until Tomorrow?

D.

Part 1: Why I did it | How I did it.

Part 2: What I Learned | What I suggest.

FMS | FibroArt Monday

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never look away, (series: got fibro? get life.), digital media, Diedre Blake (2015)

never look away, (series: got fibro? get life.), digital media, Diedré M Blake (2015)

This is the first piece from a series that I’m working on called “got fibro? get life.” I’ve been wanting to find a way to explore the shift in attitude towards fibromyalgia and how it impacts my life.

It’s always sometimes challenging to write about your own art, so I’ll leave it here. Of course, your comments are always appreciated.

Happy Monday!

Until Tomorrow,

D.

Vlog & FMS | Funny ‘Ish’ People Say If You Have Fibromyalgia (“You Don’t Look Ill”)

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Snapshot 1 (25-Jan-15 17-36)

Over the years, I’ve heard a lot of interesting comments about fibromyalgia, whether directed at me or at others. Just for fun, I decided to put together a little video sketch about these experiences.

If you have fibromyalgia, then I hope you will connect with this video and have little laugh about our shared experiences.

If you don’t have fibromyalgia…then one of these character might be you. 😉

Enjoy!

Vlog | What? Fibromyalgia, Living in Italy (Plus Being Black, Queer & Vegan)

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I’ve decided to begin a YouTube channel. 😉  It’s something that I’ve been wanting to do for some time, and now I’ve finally taken this first step.

I hope to share with you the lessons I’ve learned living with fibromyalgia, and also living abroad as a woman of color.  I look forward to your feedback and to answering questions that you may have.

Now, you have a voice to with the face! 😀

FMS | Consistently Embrace the Inconsistency of FMS (The 5 Gs)

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Image from fellow blogger Shauntee’s article “Dating Pet Peeves: The Invisible Third Person.” Click image to read.

 

I shouldn’t be writing this post.

No, seriously, I really ought to be writing something else, something relevant to advancing my studies or career or something else that I know is more important.

Even more seriously, typing this actually hurts. My hands, arms, chest, back, stomach, sides, thighs, knees, calves and ankles hurt. You name it, it hurts.  There are parts of me that are hurting that I didn’t know could hurt.  Then I remember:

This is the nature of fibromyalgia. 

 I am used to the pain. Thus, I cannot truly complain about it. This post is not about that.  It is about how to deal with the randomness of the pain or any other FMS symptoms, of being the unsuspecting victim of your own body.

So, What Do I Do?

Image from WOLB Baltimore’s article “Can Listening to Music Improve Your Health?” Click image to read article.

THE 5 Gs

GIVE (IN)| GET (ORGANIZED) | GRATITUDE  | GROW | GATHER

1. Give in / Give up –  Not on getting better, but on denying your experience.  What it basically means is accepting the reality of the situation. For a long while, I was really hard on myself whenever I had a significant flare-up.  I was constantly seeking to figure out when I would feel better, as though there were a timer ticking away and counting down to zero.  Give it up, that’s not the way it goes.

2. Get Organized –  Take a look at your obligations and figure out what can be put on the back-burner, what can be modified, and what needs to be immediately addressed.  The next step is to notify anyone who may be directly impacted by your current state.  Don’t leave others in the lurch just because you are ill.  Be clear with everyone about what you can do and when you can do it, if at all.  

3. Go for Gratitude –   The world didn’t collapse because you are having a flare-up. It’s not that serious.  Be grateful for what you can do, what you have already accomplished, and what you will be able to do.  Wallowing in self-pity will get you nowhere very, very quickly.  So, try not to be about that life.

4. Get Ready to Grow – Every moment, regardless of the value we assign to it, is an opportunity for personal growth.  Use this time to explore yourself. If you are able to do something, read something new.  If you aren’t able to do anything at all, listen to music or close your eyes and allow your imagination to take you on new adventures.  Do your best to remember that you are more than this moment. 

5. Gather Positivity – Whether alone or with loved ones, choose activities that reinforce the positives of your life, rather than focus on the negative.  I find it best to avoid discussing my current state.

Sometimes you may encounter people, I call fixers, who are very invested in solving your illness, and who will bombard you with seemingly never-ending questions–politely refuse to answer or simply avoid them.

Some people have limited patience for your illness, and these are people who you most definitely should do your best to avoid.

Negativity will only serve to bring you down, causing you to feel stressed and may severely impact your recovery time.  Gather around you people who bring with them a bit of sunshine, especially in the winter months. 

 

No Matter What, Keep It Positive While You Find Your Way Back On Your Path.

Until Next Time,

D