Dear Stranger
I wanted to take a moment this month to speak directly to you. Maybe you’re going through your day, carrying something heavy that no one else can see. Maybe you’re showing up for life even though it feels impossible.
I don’t know your story, but I feel like I understand it in some way. Life has a way of connecting us through the struggles we face, even if they’re different. My battle happens to be fibromyalgia, but maybe you’re dealing with something just as hard.
I’m writing this because I believe there’s power in being honest about what we go through—even the messy, imperfect parts. Maybe you’ll see something in my story that makes you feel a little less alone.
The Invisible Weight
If you saw me walking down the street, you’d probably think I was just another person going about my day. Fibromyalgia doesn’t leave any visible signs. There are no scars, no physical markers. It’s something I carry silently, beneath the surface. But that doesn’t mean it’s not real.
Living with this condition feels like waking up every morning after fighting a battle in my sleep. Some days, it’s like I’ve been in a car accident—everything hurts, and it’s hard to move. Other days, the pain is constant, either sharp and intense or a dull ache that never leaves.
The fatigue can be the worst part. It’s like wearing a heavy blanket all day, one that you can’t take off. And then there’s the brain fog—simple thoughts feel like riddles, and even the easiest tasks can become confusing.
But the hardest part? It’s invisible. People see me smiling and assume everything’s fine. They don’t see the sleepless nights, the mornings where just getting out of bed feels impossible, or the mental toll of constantly fighting a body that doesn’t cooperate.
And yet, life doesn’t slow down. The world keeps moving, deadlines still come, and responsibilities don’t wait. There’s no chance to set this weight down, even for a little while.
Strength in the Small Things
What I’ve learned is that strength doesn’t always look the way we expect. It’s not always big or obvious. Most of the time, it’s quiet and found in the small, everyday things.
Strength is getting out of bed when your whole body hurts. It’s sending an email when your brain feels like it’s full of fog. It’s showing up for work, for your family, or even just for yourself, even when you feel like giving up.
Work has been one of my biggest challenges. Sitting too long makes my body ache; standing too long is even worse. And when my brain feels foggy, even simple tasks feel overwhelming.
But I’ve learned to look at success differently. It’s no longer about doing everything or doing it perfectly. It’s about doing what I can, even if it’s just one small thing.
Every task I finish—no matter how small—feels like a win. Writing an email, sitting through a meeting, or simply making it to the end of the day is something I try to celebrate. On the hardest days, when even standing up feels like too much, I remind myself that just getting through the day is enough.
What Resilience Really Looks Like
When people think about resilience, they often picture someone who never strays, someone who tackles every challenge head-on. But I’ve learned that real resilience isn’t like that. It’s messy and imperfect.
Resilience isn’t about never falling. It’s about getting back up, even when you’ve fallen a hundred times. It’s about finding ways to keep going, even when you’re not sure how.
For me, resilience has meant changing how I see things. It’s letting go of the idea that I have to do everything or be everything. It’s telling myself, “What I did today is enough,” and learning to be okay with that.
It’s also about being honest—both with myself and with others. It’s admitting when I need help and asking for it without feeling ashamed. It’s letting myself rest without feeling guilty.
In all this, I’ve found something surprising: there’s a quiet kind of strength in simply continuing to show up, in finding little bits of joy, and in staying present even when it’s hard.
To You, Wherever You Are
I don’t know your story, but I do know life tests all of us in different ways. Maybe you’re carrying your own invisible weight, something no one else can see. Maybe you know what it’s like to smile through pain, push through exhaustion, or keep going when it feels impossible.
If that’s you, I want you to know something: you’re not alone.
There’s a special kind of strength in facing hard things. It’s not the kind you see in movies or hear about in motivational speeches. It’s quiet and steady. It grows every time you face a challenge, even if you don’t notice it right away.
So, dear stranger, if you’re reading this, let this be your reminder: you’re stronger than you think. On the days when you feel like falling apart, remember that just surviving is enough. And on the days when it feels like too much, it’s okay to rest, to ask for help, and to just be.
Living with fibromyalgia has taught me that resilience isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up—even when you’re tired, even when you’re unsure, even when you feel broken—and doing what you can.
And that’s enough. You are enough.
A Final Thought
As I sit here writing this, I can’t help but think about how connected we all are, even if we’ve never met. Our struggles might look different, but the strength it takes to face them is something we all share.
So, wherever you are, I hope you know this: you matter. The effort you put in matters. And even on the days when it doesn’t feel like it, you’re making a difference—just by being here, by showing up, by continuing to try.
Take care of yourself, stranger. The world needs you—just as you are.
With love,
This Fibro Chick
Your posts are always refreshing to read amidst the endless plight of chronic illness!