Fibro Friday for October

Welcome to Fibro Friday for October! This  link-up is a dedicated space for bloggers, advocates, and anyone living with fibromyalgia to share their stories, insights, and resources. Whether you're raising awareness, offering support, or expressing your lived experience, your voice matters here.

By joining Fibro Friday, you're helping build a compassionate, informed community—one post at a time. 

How to participate:

• Share your latest blog post about fibromyalgia using the link-up tool below

• Visit and support other bloggers by reading, commenting, or sharing their posts

• Use the social media buttons to help spread the word—every share helps amplify awareness and connection

Whether you're a seasoned advocate or just starting to write about your journey, we’d love to have you join us this week. Your perspective could be the one that helps someone feel seen, understood, or inspired.

Fibro Bloggers and their blog - Rebuilding Wellness

 Rebuilding Wellness – Hope, Humor, and Healing

Since 2009, Susan Ingebretson has been guiding readers through the winding path of chronic illness recovery with her blog Rebuilding Wellness. A seasoned health coach, author, and speaker, Susan brings both scientific insight and personal experience to her writing—offering practical tools for those navigating fibromyalgia, autoimmune conditions, and chronic fatigue.

Susan Ingebretson from Rebuilding Wellness blog

With over 700 articles and four books to her name, Susan’s blog is a treasure trove of resources. From quirky topics like “fibromyalgia hair” and “fibro shoes” to deeper dives into brain fog, nutrition, and emotional resilience, she meets readers where they are—with compassion and clarity.

Her posts often challenge the myths we tell ourselves in illness:

“Your fibro brain is a liar... It’s twisted in a way that makes change seem insurmountable.” ~ Lies the Fibro Brain Tells

But Susan doesn’t stop at naming the struggle—she gives readers strategies to reclaim their health, one small shift at a time. Whether it’s measuring recovery, navigating hypersensitivity, or simply finding deep sleep for under $20, Rebuilding Wellness is a steady companion on the journey toward healing.

Visit Sue's blog.

Why to start pinning (again)

Whether you’re brand new to Pinterest or returning after a long break, pinning in 2025 can be a gentle, creative way to share your story, grow your reach, or simply find joy in visual expression. 

Living with chronic illness, fibromyalgia, and brain fog means I have to be careful where I spend my spoons—and Pinterest has become one of the few platforms that feels low-pressure but still meaningful. It’s a quiet space where I can share my story, grow my reach, and help others. No hustle, no noise—just simple visuals, gentle impact, and a pace that respects my body and brain.

Why Pinning Can Be a Gentle Win in 2025

Pinterest isn’t just for pretty pictures—it’s a quiet, powerful way to share your voice, grow your blog or business, and connect with people who need what you offer. And the best part? You don’t need to hustle. You just need a few simple tools and a rhythm that works for you.

What to Know (Without Overwhelm)

• Fresh pins = more visibility Pinterest loves new images. Even one new pin a week can help people find your fibro blog.

• Keywords matter Think of Pinterest like Google but with pictures. Use simple words people might search for (like “easy gluten-free meals” or “gentle yoga for pain”).

• Consistency helps You don’t need to pin daily. Just aim for a few pins a week. I use Pinterest scheduler which is free. You just upload the pin you have created there. Tools like Tailwind can also schedule them for you so you don’t have to think about it.

How to Make Pins That Look Good

• Use vertical images Pinterest likes tall pins (1000x1500 pixels). Canva has free templates that make this so easy.

• Keep it simple One clear image + short text (5–8 words) is enough. Think: “Gentle Morning Routine” or “Fibro-Friendly Recipes.”

• Readable fonts Use bold, easy-to-read fonts. Avoid fancy cursive. High contrast (dark text on light background or white text on a dark background) is best.

• Soft colors work Muted tones like lavender, beige, or soft green feel calming and are trending.

• Add a gentle Call To Action in the pin description, when pinning it. Something like “Save this for later” or “Click for the full guide” helps people engage.

Getting Found (Without Stress)

• Use keywords in your pin title and description Example: “Gentle Yoga for Fibromyalgia – Save this pin!”

• Add 2–5 hashtags Like #ChronicIllnessSupport or #FibroTips. Skip generic ones like #love.

• Pin to the right boards Create boards with clear names like “Chronic Illness Tips” or “Fibro Tips.”

Keep It Fresh. 

I find creating pins and sharing them on Pinterest a great activity when I have too much brain fog to write a new blog post. 

• Make 2–3 pins for each blog post or product Change the image or text slightly. Spread them out over time.

• Update old content Refresh older posts with new pins. It counts as “fresh” to Pinterest.

• Avoid spammy behavior Don’t pin the same image over and over. Pinterest prefers variety.

Tools That Do the Heavy Lifting

• Canva: Free, easy design templates.

• Tailwind: Schedules pins for you, finds the best times to post, and even creates pins with AI.

• Grok: For deeper insights and smarter content ideas.

What to Pin

• Helpful guides: “5 Ways to Ease Morning Pain”

• Inspiration: “My Healing Space Setup”

• Products/services: “Gentle Skincare for Sensitive Bodies”

• Personal stories: “What I’ve Learned Living with Fibro”

• Seasonal tips: “Holiday Survival Tips for Spoonies”

Try, Tweak, Repeat

• Use Pinterest’s built-in analytics to see what’s working.

• Refresh pins that do well with new colors or headlines.

• Let go of what doesn’t resonate. You’re allowed to pivot.

Guide to Creating a Pin from a Blog Post Using Canva

• Log into Canva: Open Canva (canva.com) and sign in or create a free account.

• Select a Template: Click “Create a design,” choose “Pinterest Pin” (1000x1500 px), and pick a template that fits your blog’s style.

• Upload Your Image: Click “Uploads,” add a key image from your blog post, and drag it onto the canvas. If you do not already have an image use "Element" in Canva to find or create one. 

• Add Text: Use the “Text” tool to insert your blog title or a catchy phrase, keeping it short and bold for readability.

• Incorporate Branding: Add your website URL or name or blog logo placing it subtly at the bottom.

• Customize Design: Adjust colors, fonts, and layout to match your blog’s theme using Canva’s tools.

• Download the Pin: Click “Share” > “Download,” select PNG or JPG, and save to your device.

• Pin to Pinterest: Open Pinterest, click the “+” icon, select “Create Pin,” upload the file, add your blog link, title, description, and choose a board.

• Schedule or Publish: Set a pin schedule or publish immediately to share with your audience.

 Final Thought

Pinning doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s a quiet way to share the wisdom and work on your blog, build visibility, and help others who need your voice find you. Start small. Let the tools do the heavy lifting. And remember: your story is worth sharing. Just look at all the things you already have on your blog that need sharing. 

Welcome to Fibro Friday for September

Welcome to Fibro Friday for September, a space where stories, strategies, and solidarity come together for those living with fibromyalgia and chronic pain. 

This month’s roundup is rich with insight—from sleep struggles and weather sensitivity to the emotional toll of invisibility and isolation.

 Whether you're navigating flare-ups, seeking community, or simply looking for a moment of understanding, these 17 heartfelt contributions offer wisdom, warmth, and a reminder: you are not alone in this journey.

1. That's Why I Wake Feeling Unrested - Dale Rockell shares some realizations about his pain that he learns from waking in the night. 2. Practical Tips for Weather Sensitivity when living with Fibromyalgia. If the weather feels like it controls your body more than the forecast, this post offers tips to help you navigate fibromyalgia’s stormy relationship with the skies. 3. The Baker's Dozen - 13 chronic illness questions by Anthony Heard who is living with Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) and Fibromyalgia. This interview dives into the lived experience of chronic and rare illness and the stories behind the diagnosis. 4. Living with Fibromyalgia: The Invisible Struggle You Can’t See by This Fibro Chick emphasizes the disconnect between outward appearances and internal suffering. It explores the physical pain, emotional grief, and social invisibility that come with the condition. 5. World suicide prevention day - Beverley shares her personal reflections as well as helplines and understanding of what suicide prevention is all about.  6. A Change Of Routine - Simba Visits: Dale changes his normal routine to accommodate a 5 month old adorable ball of fluff.  7. To Call the Doctor or Not? Susan Pearson explores the internal conflict many people with fibromyalgia face when deciding whether to seek medical attention for new symptoms, especially within an overstretched healthcare system.  8. Dusting off my wheelchair - describes the things that led to Glenys getting out her wheelchair again. 9. Optimal Sleep Strategies for Chronic Pain Relief. Sarah Warburton offers practical advice for improving sleep while living with chronic pain. It explores how adjustments to mattresses, pillows, bedroom environment, and routines can help break the pain-sleep cycle and create a more restorative sleep experience. 10. Pain Awareness Month: My Journey with Chronic Pain focuses on Beverley's personal history with pain, emotional and spiritual coping strategies—including witchcraft—and the importance of visibility and advocacy during Pain Awareness Month. 11. Doing It Anyway - Feeling stuck, or too tired to pursue something you love? This post captures a quiet triumph—where creativity wins. If you’ve ever pushed through pain or doubt to do the thing anyway, this one’s for you. 12. Book Review - This review highlights Finding Joy with an Invisible Chronic Illness by Christopher Martin as a compassionate and practical guide for navigating life with unseen health challenges. 13. Living with Fibromyalgia: Small Wins and Survival Strategies - tools, strategies and reminders that Fibromyalgia can't steal your story. 14. Pain Awareness Month 2025 Supporting the Chronic Pain Community emphasizes the importance of community, advocacy, and compassion in navigating life with chronic pain.  15. The Power of “Me Too” - Finding community through the fog: This Fibro Chick discusses loneliness when living with Fibromyalgia and why community matters. 16. Fibromyalgia Thoughts #13 - Melinda talks about how Fibromyalgia sucks and some of her symptoms. 17. What Others See Versus The Reality - Through a personal story of a beach walk in Norfolk, and photographs,  the author reflects on the physical toll of everyday activities and the emotional challenge of being misunderstood.