Carnival is colour, sound, and energy. It’s community and culture wrapped in feathers, sequins, and the pulse of bass that you can feel deep in your bones. But if you live with fibromyalgia, the thought of spending hours in a loud, crowded, and high-energy environment can feel daunting.

I’ve learned that fibromyalgia doesn’t mean saying goodbye to experiences like Carnival—it just means approaching them differently. With intention, pacing, and kindness toward our bodies, it’s possible to join in the celebration while protecting our energy.

🎭 Before You Go: Prepare with Care

• Plan your outfit for comfort first. Sequins and feathers are fun, but soft fabrics, cushioned shoes, and layers can make the difference between lasting the day or leaving early in pain.

• Pack a “flare kit.” Pain relief, a small water bottle, a snack, earplugs, and sunglasses—little tools that help manage sensory overload.

• Map your exits. Know where rest areas, quieter streets, or places to sit are so you have options when the energy gets overwhelming.

🥁 During the Celebration: Pace the Beat

• Move with the rhythm, not against it. Dance if you want to, sway gently if that feels better. Listening to your body is the ultimate choreography.

• Take breaks often. Carnival is hours long—you don’t have to do it all at once. Rest on the curb, find shade, or step aside to breathe and reset.

• Say yes to joy, no to guilt. If your body tells you to pause or leave early, that’s still a victory. You showed up, and that’s worth celebrating.

💜 After the Music Fades: Recovery Matters

• Plan your “after-care.” Warm bath, comfy clothes, magnesium spray, or a nap—whatever helps your muscles release and your nervous system calm.

• Block out recovery time. Don’t schedule a busy day after Carnival. Your body will thank you for the extra rest.

• Celebrate your way. Even if you only made it for an hour, you still carried your spirit into the festival. That matters.

🌈 Final Thoughts

Carnival is about freedom, joy, and expression—things fibromyalgia doesn’t take away from us. We might need more pauses, more planning, and more softness, but we can still experience the beauty of community and culture on our own terms.

Remember: Carnival isn’t about keeping up with the crowd. It’s about moving at your own rhythm, and that rhythm is always worth dancing to.