From The Outside Looking In #NMAM #NMAMBC

Living with chronic pain is a tough thing to imagine if you have never had the experience. Everyone experiences pain, fatigue, headaches and the like but when these things are part of your daily life it is a whole different ball of wax. Inevitably, well-meaning people say things that really highlight this lack of understanding.

All together the things they say paint a picture in my head of what they imagine my life is like. And it is nothing close to reality. They think I have all the time in the world to do whatever I want, whenever I want. They think my days are essentially their vision of what they would love to do if they didn't work.

Of course, this vision completely ignores the fact that the only reason I'm home is because pain, fatigue, migraines, brain fog, and all are a big part of my daily life. I can't function like all my able bodied friends and family. Additionally, this vision ignores the fact that just because I don't have a paid job, doesn't mean I don't have obligations and responsibilities. I do, plus I'm constantly trying to control my symptoms.

When you are outside looking in it's never easy to see what's really on.

"National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."