The clocks have gone back.

The nights are getting longer.

The temperature has dropped.

And somewhere across the country, Fibro Warriors have collectively decided…

Hibernation has officially commenced. 

Because honestly, going outside is starting to feel extremely overrated.

The rain? No thank you.

The cold? Basically our kryptonite, well its mine.

Dark before I’ve even properly finished my day? Absolutely disrespectful.

If you live with fibromyalgia, you probably already know what I’m talking about. When the temperature drops, sometimes it feels like our bodies know before we’ve even checked the weather.

Cold = pain.

And lately, I have been feeling it.

Oh, Hibernation Looks GOOD Right Now

There are days when staying underneath my duvet until spring sounds like a completely reasonable life plan.

But then reality kicks in.

I have a job.

I have responsibilities.

I’m a mum.

And sometimes, when I’m exhausted and hurting and I know I still have to get up and face another day, that little question creeps into my head:

Why am I working?

Why am I putting myself through this?

Wouldn’t it be easier to just give up, accept my Fibro life and disappear into hibernation?

And I’m not going to pretend I never think about it.

I do.

Especially when getting out of bed already feels like I’ve completed the first task of the day.

But Then I Remember Why I’m Trying

I have children.

And I want them to see a strong mother.

Not a mother who never struggles.

Not a mother who can do everything.

And definitely not a mother who pretends she isn’t in pain.

I want them to see a mum who tries.

My pace might be slower.

Some days I might need more rest.

Sometimes I have to say no.

Sometimes the pain wins and plans have to change.

But I’m trying.

And I’m slowly learning that strength doesn’t always look like pushing through.

Sometimes strength is recognising that you’ve reached your limit.

Sometimes it’s asking for help.

Sometimes it’s taking your medication, getting back into bed and saying, today was enough.

It’s Okay Not to Be Okay

The painkillers are getting on top of me at the moment.

The colder weather means more pain, and more pain means trying to manage that pain while still functioning as a person.

And some days I’m tired of it.

That’s the truth.

But I have to keep reminding myself:

It’s okay not to be okay.

I don’t need to turn every difficult day into an inspirational story.

I don’t have to achieve something incredible for the day to count.

I’m doing my best.

We’re doing our best.

So this is for my fellow Fibro Warriors heading into our unofficial hibernation season.

When your body feels like it has been to battle…

When everything hurts…

When you’re exhausted before the day has even properly started…

And you’re looking at everybody else getting on with life wondering how they make it look so easy…

Remember this:

You got through today.

And sometimes the wins need to become very small.

You got out of bed.

Win.

You ate something.

Win.

You made it through work.

Win.

You rested when your body told you to.

Win.

And on those really difficult days?

You breathed.

You managed a sip of water.

That’s a win too. 💜

We don’t have to conquer the world every day.

Sometimes surviving the battle is enough.

Now, if anyone needs me…

I’ll be considering hibernation until approximately April. 😂🐻

Wander. Rest. Live. At your own pace. 💜