Fibromyalgia and self-discipline: A constant battle!

Since I first had fibro, I've found that I need to constantly keep 'tweaking' my life, to make everything run more smoothly:  time management, diet, sleep, hobbies, daily work, etc.. 

I don't think that's necessarily all bad, though.  It's sort of been a wake-up call in some ways, and I find I'm fine-tuning my days as I get older.  It's made me think more about what I do with my time, and how effectively I use it.  It's also made me aware of when my "better" hours and days are, and that I use them to the best of my ability.

Has anyone else noticed that they've needed to work harder on their self-discipline in many areas of life, since you were diagnosed with fibro?  Do you think it's been more of a positive or negative experience?  I guess I don't want to wake up one day and find that my life has surrendered to my pain, fog, etc., and the best days are behind me.  More and more, I see that every day is a gift, and I need to take the "bull by the horn" every hour I can.  It's a daily battle, I think, but one well worth fighting, in my opinion.   I'm working on that!

Can anyone else here relate?  Any tips?  What has worked for you in this area?

-sigh-

I used to have a great work ethic, really. Years training in the performing arts honed my self-discipline, and then my academic work exploited it for further gains. For me, it's not the pain that stops me, but the depression. I can work through pain, and always have. Even being tired--I can usually manage to put that aside and do what I need to do.

It's the being sad that gets me, and gets me off-track and unmotivated. Five years ago was when the depression started, which got worse with Cymbalta and being desperately unhappy in my job and in my life. My work ethic was in the basement. I was kinda coasting, and really wasn't about to either focus or be productive. I mean, I still got work done, because I am kinda a work horse, but it wasn't particularly good.

about a year ago, I got a wake-up call through grief. I finally started effexor and my older sister died from leukemia. (no, the two are not related). I started thinking and decided to make changes. In the past four months or so, I feel some of my old 'me' coming back.

I have always been the type to push myself, regardless. It's important to me to get out of the envelope.

One of the good things that fibro has done was get me out of my head, and more in touch with my body. More patient and more willing to be still.

Luvminis, Oh yes...it is trial and error trying to find a good balance of what works for you.

Personally, I know exercise is not an optional activity for me so I need to plan when I will get my walk in for the day. Gentles stretches and range of motion exercises are always done just after I wake, it helps get the kinks out. During the day, it is important for me to do deep breathing and meditation. I will take time to help get rid of stress...this time is well spent and worth it to me.

Living with any chronic condition, a commitment is needed to do what you can to help yourself. Taking the time to do what you can to feel better does take discipline. If you take meds, taking them on schedule is important. Getting adequate sleep and eating healthy also helps.

I was super active before any of my conditions and I try to remain as active as possible. Spending time with others is important to me and also having my time to enjoy creative projects. I tire easily and I need to be disciplined enough to slow down and take a break when needed. These days, shortness of breath reminds me to slow down. Taking time to enjoy others or projects helps keep me "together" emotionally.

Great thread Luvminis ! Hope everyone enjoys their day :)

Hugs, Robin

Jasmine,

I think a lot of us have done that. We get a good day and over do it. I do that all the time, and yes, I pay for it. But it sure feels good to be able to accomplish something now and again. We have to keep pacing ourselves even when we feel good.

Hang in there everybody!!!

Hugs, Karen...

Robin, that's so true.

After a bad day or two, I sometimes feel like a spider whose web was destroyed, and I have to very slowly and patiently rebuild it, strand by strand from the very beginning--a seemingly endless job! But I think that also builds character and perseverence, too.

And it's also true we have to work on having good days. That, too, isn't always easy, but just putting ourselves in the right frame of mind every morning is a good start. Sometimes I even like Mondays because they're a fresh start!

I hope everyone has a good, positive day and week ahead. We have to hang in there, even in the rough patches, and "git right back on that horse" whenever we happen to fall. 

Myself 09: I'm another list maker, and would be lost without them (been there, done that!).

I also have a regular routine I follow every morning to set the day off right (hopefully). Now and then I veer off course, but I try to get right back to the 'agenda' every day.

It sounds like you've accomplished a lot today--and that was much earlier today. Bravo to you and to everyone here who give each day their best efforts. This sure is an inspiring forum!!

Yes--even baby steps will get us there, if we keep at it.

All the posts here inspire me and nudge me on. Prioritizing and pacing--two 'biggies' to always keep in mind.

Now I'm going to take a break and take a little time for some fun stuff--if I don't fall asleep first, LOL!

Steph: That's a good way to be--type B (and it even rhymes!). I don't think we can allow ourselves to get too upset over the small things. Getting things done in 'short bursts' is a great way to say it.

trueguru: I don't have Epstein Barr, but you sound a lot like me! And you're right--one day at a time, and the small great things add up. We certainly are in this together, and I thank God for this forum and wonderful group.

Yes, there's nothing easy about our lives. At the moment, I'm trying to find the self-discipline to organize my garden of paper...receipts, letters, how-to manuals, and all manner of miscellaneous junk. (Gee, this sounds familiar....I have a feeling I might have typed this "once or twice" before! :)

Hello, trueguru. You sound as if you have a LOT of self-discipline! That's great. Why don't you start an introductory thread, and tell us more about yourself? That way, you'll get more responses - you won't get overlooked in the shuffle. And do check out "Fibro 101," our first thread....there's a lot of great info in there, no matter how long you've been dealing with Fibro.

Hope to hear more from you soon.

Debbie

Trueguru, click on "+ Post New Topic". Then you can write a title for your thread (in the "subject" section) and write the first post in the thread (in the "message" section).