Welcome, @abujan. It is nice to meet you. I'm happy you found SMART goals helpful. Living with fibromyalgia for over 35 years has no doubt made you stronger than I bet you ever thought you'd become. Resiliency comes to mind, along with flexibility.

The way you describe still learning how to live with the ever changing fibro after all these years, but still looking at the manageability, is so valuable for success. I've learned through my own chronic pain management journey and mistakes, that the more I shift mindset by replacing negative thoughts with positive, and find gratitude, the more rewarding life can be.

Ah yes, you are not alone in the fixers, planners, doers, leaders category. Being stable, moderate and flexible is a work in progress for folks like us. It takes practice to pull those natural traits back for the benefit of our health, doesn't it? I'm glad to hear that you recognize push/crash cycles and listen to your body, knowing when to allow grace and gentleness. This is why I love SMART goals, because they help with accountability.

I'm wondering if you have explored other conversations on Connect about fibromyalgia? Here are a couple you may be interested in:

- Have you found anything to successfully treat fibromyalgia pain?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/dealing-with-fibromyalgia-pain/
- Want to talk to others with fibromyalgia: What symptoms do you have?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/firomyalgia/
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, experiences and insight. We are here to help each other, and you have inspired and encouraged me today!