Finding Balance in the Storm: Honoring Fibromyalgia Awareness Month
May is Fibromyalgia Awareness Month, and today—May 12—is Fibromyalgia Awareness Day.
It also happens to be Mother’s Day.
Funny how life weaves these threads together, isn’t it?
I didn’t even plan to remember the date – but here I am, holed up, riding out yet another migraine, caught in the quiet swirl of a painful fibromyalgia flare. And yet… I remembered. And maybe that’s part of the gift.
Because this day – both days – became a moment of pause. A chance to sit back, breathe deeply, and just celebrate the small things. A cup of tea. A kind message. The stillness. The peace that comes when you surrender and allow your body to just be, no judgment.
For those of us who live with fibromyalgia, life doesn’t always follow the script. There are days when your body slows you down, shifts your plans, and forces you to tune in whether you want to or not. But through it all, I’ve found a new rhythm.
I’ve come to learn that fibromyalgia doesn’t just affect your body – it sharpens your awareness. You become more present. More intentional. You begin to truly feel your way through the world. Of course – that’s not in those frequent moments of fibro-fog, but I digress, that’s a topic for another day… Today, right now, I meditate, and body scan. And yes, even on painful days, doing yoga – gently and intentionally – helps me to reconnect with my breath, release tension, and remind my body that it’s still capable of healing movement, even in small, compassionate ways.
Meditation and body scanning have been essential in this process. We all think we listen to our bodies—but this takes it to another level.
You begin to notice the whispers before the screams. You learn to check in instead of pushing through. Add in yoga, and suddenly the chaos quiets. It brings you back to center. It offers stillness when everything else feels like noise.
And the truth is – this condition has taught me to deeply appreciate the good days. To hold them gently. To celebrate them, because they are never guaranteed. It’s taught me to show up for others with more empathy, to make room for rest, and to find joy even when it’s wrapped in discomfort.
So yes, today is both Fibromyalgia Awareness Day and Mother’s Day—and while I didn’t get to spend it out and about, I spent it in a way that felt sacred. I honored the fight. I honored the peace. I honored the beauty of simply being.
Whether you live with fibromyalgia or love someone who does, I hope this month invites you to slow down, listen more closely, and celebrate those small, beautiful victories.
Here’s to balance, grace, and the quiet strength it takes to keep going—even when no one else sees the struggle.
With Love & Patience
Chali-A
