The daily struggles of dealing with a chronic illness are exhausting! I was diagnosed at age 29 with fibromyalgia. Until I was in my late 50's, I was able to manage the pain and flare-ups with over the counter meds and self-care. In my late 50's, I had an increasing amount of pain, fatigue, headaches, relationship stress, and career struggles due to my illness. It was scary, emotionally challenging and overwhelming. I reached a point where I could not get out of bed on most days and my entire life was falling apart. I was unable to function. I lost my physical and mental health, my career and my feelings of being valuable and a contributor. I have learned how to take one day at a time and manage my energy. It took courage to be willing to pick myself up and begin to rebuild a life with my new reality. I have built a tool box that is full of helpers for my rough days. Some tools are actions, others are ways to deal with the feelings and stresses.