Flare & Flourish

  In April's air, the rain gently falls, Awakening earth with nature's calls. Each drop a promise, fresh and new, Of skies that shift from gray to blue. With every bud and blooming tree, April whispers "just let things be" In it's soft shower's, we find grace, A moment to breathe, a peaceful space. Follow me on twitter for updates  https://x.com/FlareflourishF

                                                          The Battle No One Sees Let’s talk about something I rarely see mentioned in fibromyalgia conversations: appetite. Or rather—the complete mess that appetite can become when your body is fighting an invisible war. Some days, I cry because I have to eat. The thought of chewing, swallowing, the textures, the effort—it all feels overwhelming. My body feels too tired to even digest, and yet I know I need fuel. I know I need nutrients. I know, logically, that skipping meals won’t help me heal—but emotionally, mentally, and physically, eating can feel like climbing a mountain I never signed up for. Then there are the other days—where all I want is liquid. I want to drown in water, juice, tea… anything but food. It’s like my body is desperate to soothe itself, but can’t figure out what it needs....

There’s something I’ve noticed on this journey with fibromyalgia and autoimmune disease that doesn’t get talked about enough: fever—or rather, the weird relationship our bodies have with it. When most people think of a fever, they imagine temperatures soaring above 38°C, maybe even with chills and sweating. But for me, with an autoimmune condition and fibromyalgia, my version of a “fever” doesn’t always follow the rules. My body struggles to regulate its temperature. I can feel feverish, flushed, achy, and utterly wiped out—and yet, when I check my temperature, it’s often only 37°C… or even lower, like 34°C. For a long time, I didn’t even realize this was something other people experienced too. I thought I was losing my mind. How can I feel so sick and yet not technically have a fever? I would look at the thermometer and feel like I had to justify what my body was screaming at me. But here’s what I’ve come to understand: When you live with a chronic illness, especially one that impacts...

                                                     A Story of Quiet Survival  There are days I wake up and my body feels like it’s made of concrete. Every joint aches, every step feels like I’m dragging the weight of a hundred yesterdays behind me. My mind? Sometimes it’s just as heavy. Thoughts feel clouded. Emotions flicker like an old lightbulb—on, off, dim, gone. I used to think it was one or the other. Either my body was tired or my mind was struggling. I never imagined they could work against each other in such cruel harmony. But they do. And they have. Some mornings, I would open my eyes and instantly feel defeated—not because of anything I did, but because of everything I couldn’t do. I’d lie there, torn between pushing through and breaking down. And when I couldn’t push, I punished myself. I told myself I was lazy, weak, a burden. No one ...

                                                  Chronic Illness and Mindfulness Living with a chronic illness often feels like riding a rollercoaster you didn’t sign up for. Some days you wake up with a little more energy and a hint of hope, and other days—even lifting your head feels like a battle. Chronic illness isn’t just physical. It steals your time, your plans, your confidence. It can make your world feel small. For the longest time, I kept waiting for things to go “back to normal.” I thought healing meant being who I was before. But as time passed and the flare-ups stayed, I realized that healing might just mean learning how to be—right here, right now. That’s where mindfulness found me. I didn’t discover mindfulness in some peaceful yoga studio or perfect meditation moment. I found it in the middle of a flare, on a day I felt like screaming from the pai...

                                                  Why It Happens & What to Do If you have fibromyalgia, you already know it comes with all sorts of weird and frustrating symptoms. One of those is jaw and gum pain—something that doesn’t get talked about enough. Maybe your jaw feels stiff and sore, or your gums ache for no clear reason. Some days, even chewing or talking can feel uncomfortable. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many people with fibromyalgia deal with jaw and gum pain, and it’s often linked to TMJ issues, nerve sensitivity, and muscle tension. The good news? There are ways to manage it! Let’s break it down in a way that actually makes sense. Why Does Fibromyalgia Cause Jaw and Gum Pain? Fibromyalgia messes with the way your brain processes pain. It makes you more sensitive to discomfort, even in places you wouldn’t expect—like your mouth...

                                                                Growing Up with Narcissistic Parents Some wounds don’t leave bruises. They don’t show up in photos or raise concern at school. But they live in our bodies, in our nervous systems, and in the way we see ourselves long after childhood is over. Growing up with narcissistic parents is a unique kind of survival. On the outside, they may have seemed charming, well-liked, even put together. But behind closed doors, the story was different. And if you’ve lived it, you know exactly what I mean. Everything Was About Them When your parents are narcissistic, your existence becomes an extension of theirs. You’re not seen as a child with feelings, boundaries, and dreams of your own — you’re a mirror meant to reflect back the version of them they want the world to see. If you shin...

                Why Are the Easiest Stretches and Yoga Moves So Hard with Fibromyalgia? Living with fibromyalgia often means facing unexpected challenges with even the simplest movements. What seems like a gentle stretch or an easy yoga pose to someone else can feel like an impossible task for us. But why is that? Why Does It Hurt So Much? Fibromyalgia affects how our brain processes pain, making even minor muscle movements feel intense. Stiffness, widespread pain, and chronic fatigue can turn a basic stretch into something that drains all our energy. On top of that, overexertion—even in small amounts—can lead to flare-ups that take days to recover from. Pacing is Key The best advice? Do what you can, but don’t overdo it. If your morning stretches take up all your energy for the day, that’s okay. One step at a time. It’s easy to feel frustrated when our bodies won’t cooperate, but pushing too hard can set us back even further. Personally, I find i...

                                                      Why We Need to Keep Talking Despite affecting millions of people worldwide, fibromyalgia remains one of the most misunderstood and overlooked chronic illnesses. Many of us struggle for years to get a diagnosis, only to be met with skepticism, dismissal, or even gaslighting from doctors, family, and friends. It’s frustrating, exhausting, and isolating—but it’s also why raising awareness is so important. If we don’t speak up, who will? At  Flare & Flourish , I share my journey with fibromyalgia not just to vent, but to help others feel less alone and to push for the understanding we all deserve. Today, I want to talk about why fibromyalgia awareness is still lacking and what we can do to change that. The Struggle for a Diagnosis One of the biggest challenges fibromyalgia patients face is gettin...

                                                          (And the Truth Behind Them )   Fibromyalgia is one of the most misunderstood conditions out there. If you live with it, you’ve probably heard comments like, “But you don’t look sick!” or “It’s all in your head.” These words can be frustrating and isolating, especially when you’re already fighting a daily battle with pain, fatigue, and brain fog. Today, I want to break down some of the most common myths about fibromyalgia and share the truth—because understanding is the first step to support and awareness. Myth #1: “Fibromyalgia Isn’t Real” The Truth: Fibromyalgia is a medically recognized chronic illness that affects the nervous system and how the brain processes pain. The World Health Organization (WHO) and major health organizations like the CDC and Mayo Clinic all acknowledge fi...