I think, "overdoing" things is a big cause for my illness.
i've never been a workaholic. Actually, i'm horribly lazy. But, I'm a person that constantly worries. I've been having anxiety disorders and panic attacks ever since I was 14 (i'm 30 now) and I'm basically running on adrenaline almost all of the time because of it.
I'm always thinking about things too much, too often, re- and rethinking things... this kind of stuff. My mind is never really calm (I also was born with ADHD)
I, personally, think that my fibro is simply the punishment I got for overstressing myself needlessly. I still have trouble keeping myself in check in that department
I'm trying to take things slow, leave things be, just chill out and develope a "devil may care" attitude... but I really can't ^^; I am constantly excited, be it in good and happy or worried and scary ways.
But really, it's fascinating to observe my own illness, because... really, it's like a punishment and a protection all at the same time. Now, the fibro FORCES me to take things slow. To relax and look out and care for myself. If I don't and I overdo it, I have to pay the price in the form of pains, aches or exhaustion.
I'm an optimist. Not a natural one, but I made myself be optimistic. It's a self-protection thing I've made for myself, because, if I didn't believe that everything will be good in the end, I would not be here anymore. I enjoy life and I take pleasure and happiness whereever I can. I am not ashamed to laugh out loud to myself or in public at silly kitty videos or lame stories. I watch funny cartoons and I don't care about how an adult should behave in that department XD
When I first got the diagnosis, I was relieved. Because the other possibility would have been polyarthritis. And I was SO relieved that it wasn't rheuma. When I slowly learned (because my doc only told me the name of what I have, that it won't kill me and then sent me home) what fibro really means, I was scared. Very, very scared because, really, the future doesn't look too happy, considering my light and bearable symptoms might worsen and make me lose my job and health.
BUT. I somehow pulled myself up again and now, I try to see my fibro as a good thing. A good thing always with me to protect me from overworking myself. It's also the best excuse I have to finally, finally allow myself all those little, wonderful "wellness" things. Like visiting a hot-water indoor pool, a spa, just lounging on the couch the entire day on weekends...
long thing short: fibro is definitely for me to slow down and care for myself better