What the fog feels like....

Even if you're not living with fibro...many invisible illnesses can leave us feeling like we're in a fog and our brains are grounded.

Have you ever felt like that? How would you describe what it feels like? How well do you manage when you're feeling this way? What would you like others to know about what this is like for you? 

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​To live with the fog is one thing, to understand it is another.

I asked the question...How would you describe what "fibro fog" is like to someone who doesn't experience it?...on the Facebook page a little while ago and here they are...your responses were very helpful....thank you! 
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• Forgetting if you took your medication.
• In a matter of a few seconds going to get something and getting there then can't remember what you were trying to get
• It's like thinking through quicksand--strenuous, sloppy, slow & sometimes you forget the goal because the journey has become the focus of all your energy.
• Like your mind scatters with thoughts in every direction, and you can't grasp the right one
• Its like....Please tell me how to use my shower and what's my name again. Head full of cotton wool....
• I call it "balloon head".
• Like I never actually woke up
• Like I'm here but I'm not here
• I feel discombobulated
• I can't connect with my thoughts, with others, with anything
• I feel out of sorts, out of place and sometimes out of my mind
• it's like my brain went on a holiday without me and took my energy with it
• I forget the names of things that are so "simple" and even things I use every day...what's that thing called again? I forget
• I struggle to remember when things happened 

If what you're living with leaves you feeling like you're in a fog...what do you do to help yourself through it? How do you communicate these days to those around you? Do others always understand? 

Even when others may not always understand...we can't stop taking care of ourselves and our needs. When the fog comes and we're lost in it...what we do for ourselves is important and to take the time for our needs is required. OH...And to use our own words to beat ourselves up for feeling this way? Well that's not helping (so please stop).

Feeling the fog is normal...how long it lasts? well that changes. It may be a few hours, a few days, it may even last a week or more...but however long it lasts...YOU need YOU!

If you're struggling in the fog...please...

• reach out to your doctor, to those you know and trust who will help and support you through it
• be gentle with yourself...take the time for you and your needs, support yourself without leaving scars behind
• use your coping skills, have a nap, listen to your music, go for a walk....but please...do not use items that require your full attention (power tools come to mind), and please don't make life altering decisions when you're feeling the fog (this time will pass and you will think clearly again...just wait for it)
• write down things that are important for that day...don't go grocery shopping without your list (you'll buy the whole store but nothing you need) 
• do not put yourself down or beat yourself up for feeling this way...just be gentle with you and your needs too - our words can either help us or hurt us...do not hurt yourself any further please

When we're feeling the fog it's hard to talk about the fog and still make sense (ever notice that or is that just me?) So if you struggle with your words too...take the time when you're not in the fog and talk to those you share your life with. Let them know how this feels for you and let them know too what you need from them when you're feeling fogged up, and finally?...try to come up with a plan for how you will soothe and care for yourself the next time you're grounded by the fog (there are things we can do for us).

take good care of you please
Tammy