Flare & Flourish

  In June, the worlds feels hushed and slow. As winter winds begin to blow. The frosty air, the silent night, Wraps the earth in soft, pale light. In stillness, we find warmth within.A quiet peace beneath the skin. June whispers "rest, the world will wait" In winter's calm, we meditate. Follow me on twitter for updates  https://x.com/FlareflourishF

                                                              What Makes Me Beautiful? I’ve asked myself this question more times than I can count. Some days, I ask it with soft curiosity. Other days, I ask it through tears, standing in front of a mirror that reflects more than just skin and bone — it reflects pain, change, and memories of who I used to be. Living with fibromyalgia has left behind so many scars, some visible and others deeply tucked away. The physical ones remind me of the procedures, the treatments, the flares that stole entire weeks from me. The emotional ones? They’re harder to explain. They’re the parts of me that quietly mourn what I once thought my life would be — the freedom, the ease, the energy. And yet, here I am. Still standing. Still showing up. I used to define beauty by smooth skin, flat stomachs, and gl...

                                        But Should Let’s be real for a second — chronic illness doesn’t just attack your body. It slowly creeps into your thoughts, your moods, your confidence, your identity. It makes you question everything: Am I lazy? Am I dramatic? Am I broken? And more often than not, we try to carry it all in silence. When I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, it felt like my body had betrayed me. But when I was later diagnosed with depression… it felt like I had betrayed myself. That’s the thing no one really tells you — how much chronic illness and mental health are connected. And how easily the one that hurts the most is the one we never talk about. At first, I was ashamed. I didn’t want to admit I needed help. I thought if I could just push through the pain, take my meds, and smile enough, maybe the darkness in my chest would go away on its own. It didn’t. It got hea...

                                      While Living with Fibromyalgia. Let me start by saying this: some days, I don’t. And that’s okay. Living with fibromyalgia means every day comes with its own unpredictability. I don’t wake up and jump into a set routine the way I used to. Instead, I wake up and quietly check in with my body — almost like asking an old friend, “How are we today?” Sometimes she answers with gentleness. Other times, it feels like she screams before I even move. But over the years, I’ve learned a few things that help me show up — for my life, my responsibilities, and most importantly, myself — without completely draining what little energy I have. 1. I Don’t Pretend I’m Superwoman Anymore I used to feel guilty for not being able to do it all. For needing rest. For saying no. But now I realize — strength looks different for me. It’s in the quiet boundaries I’ve set, in the task...

                                                        Fibromyalgia: , But Every Day If you’ve ever had the flu — the real kind that knocks you flat — you know how awful it feels. The aching body, the crushing fatigue, the chills, the foggy head that makes even holding a conversation feel like hard work. Now imagine waking up like that most days… and never really getting better. That’s what fibromyalgia feels like. When people hear I have fibromyalgia, they often picture “just pain.” And yes, pain is a big part of it. But what’s often forgotten — or never even mentioned — is that fibro comes with a full-body, flu-like feeling that drags you down to the bone. It’s not contagious, but it is constant. A never-ending loop of exhaustion, heaviness, and an immune system that feels like it’s always fighting something, even when I’m not technically “sick.”...

                  Living in a Bubble – and How My Husband Keeps Me There (Safely) There’s something I want to share – something quiet and soft that lives in the corners of my life with fibromyalgia, but means more to me than I often let on. My husband keeps me in a bubble. Not the isolating kind, not the kind that makes you feel like the world is passing you by – but the kind that holds you. Protects you. Cushions you from the sharp edges that illness tends to bring. Sometimes, I wonder if people truly see how much strength it takes to be the person beside the person in pain. Living with fibromyalgia is unpredictable. There are days when the mere weight of air feels too heavy on my skin, when my bones ache as if they’ve carried centuries, and when my words slow down like a buffering video no one has the patience to wait for. I’m not lazy. I’m not giving up. I’m fighting an invisible war – but, my husband, fights it too in a different way. He ...

                                                                                         Let’s Talk About IBS                                                              (Since No One Else Wants To) Let’s talk about something no one really wants to talk about: Irritable Bowel Syndrome — better known (to those of us who live with it) as the condition that hijacks your gut, your plans, and sometimes your self-worth. IBS isn’t cute. It’s not something you bring up in casual conversation. It’s messy. Embarrassing. Sometimes downright humiliating. And yet, it’s part of my daily reality — another unwanted guest alongsi...

                                                                                                                 Oh, How I Miss the Small Things Some days, I catch myself thinking about the small things. The ones I used to do without even blinking. Brushing my hair without my arms aching. Going for a walk without planning recovery time. Laughing too hard without my ribs feeling bruised. Waking up without pain already waiting. Omw, I miss the small things. When you live with an invisible illness like fibromyalgia, you grieve in quiet ways. Not for a person you lost, but for the version of yourself who used to exist before pain made a home inside your body. And because that pain is unseen, the world keeps mov...

                                                         Yes — and Here’s Why One of the most common questions I get is: “Do companions really help when you’re living with a chronic illness?” And without hesitation, my answer is always: YES. Not even a soft yes — a full, resounding, heart-deep yes. Because my dogs aren’t just pets. They’re my guardians, my comfort, my alarm system, and sometimes, my only reason to smile on the days when nothing else feels okay. They know me — all of me — in ways I didn’t know anyone could. Somehow, they sense when a flare-up is coming… before I even do. It’s subtle, at first. They stay closer. Their energy shifts. Suddenly they’re not playful, but calm. Watchful. Gentle. One lays their head on my lap. The other stays by the door, almost like a quiet protector. They follow me room to room, not with anxiety, but...