Amy’s Adventure: Solo Travel With Fibromyalgia as Her Companion

Amy always dreamed of traveling the world alone. For years she imagined herself walking cobbled streets in old European cities, sipping tea at quiet cafes, watching sunrises from mountain peaks, and losing herself in the unfamiliar. But when she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia at the age of thirty-one, those dreams seemed to vanish behind a curtain of chronic pain, fatigue, and uncertainty. Fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, extreme exhaustion, cognitive fog, and heightened sensitivity to stimuli, challenged her most basic daily functions. Solo travel now seemed unrealistic, even dangerous. However, Amy’s sense of adventure was not easily extinguished. Over time, she chose not to wait for a pain-free life to begin exploring the world. Instead, she made fibromyalgia her travel companion and redefined what solo travel could look like.

Living with fibromyalgia means constantly evaluating energy levels, managing flare-ups, and adjusting plans based on how the body feels in each moment. These unpredictable elements make travel especially complex. For Amy, planning became the foundation of her success. Her journey began not with a plane ticket but with extensive research, lists, and strategies. She started small, taking day trips close to home to observe how her body responded to travel-related stress. This phase helped her develop systems for packing, resting, eating, and pacing her activities.

Once Amy felt confident with local trips, she planned her first extended solo journey to Portugal. She selected Portugal not only for its beauty and accessibility but also for its temperate climate, which tended to be more forgiving on her symptoms. She chose accommodations with kitchens so she could prepare her own meals, avoided long stretches of travel without rest, and booked flexible tickets and lodging to give herself room for change. Her travel philosophy was simple: flexibility was not failure, and rest was part of the experience.

Before departure, Amy consulted with her healthcare provider to ensure she had all necessary medications and travel documentation. She packed light but intentionally, choosing breathable clothing, supportive shoes, ergonomic bags, and items that helped her manage pain, such as a travel-sized heating pad, compression gloves, and magnesium sprays. She also included noise-canceling headphones and an eye mask to minimize sensory overload, especially in busy transport hubs. Technology played a critical role. Amy used apps to monitor her symptoms, track medication schedules, translate languages, and locate health services near her destinations.

Amy approached each day of travel with a balance of structure and freedom. Mornings, typically when she had the most energy, were reserved for key activities like sightseeing or light walking tours. Afternoons often included downtime in parks, museums, or cafes where she could rest without feeling disengaged. Evenings were intentionally quiet. She avoided overbooking her itinerary, allowing space for spontaneous decisions and unexpected needs for recovery. This method gave her confidence and reduced the fear that a flare-up would ruin her entire trip.

Nutrition also played a significant role in her travel success. Fibromyalgia symptoms can be exacerbated by certain foods, particularly processed items, sugar, and excessive caffeine. Amy prioritized fresh, whole foods and carried nutrient-dense snacks with her to avoid sudden energy crashes. Cooking her own meals or choosing restaurants that offered customization allowed her to control what she consumed. She also stayed hydrated and limited alcohol, understanding that even one indulgent night could lead to days of discomfort.

Movement was carefully planned. While exercise can benefit fibromyalgia, overexertion often leads to flare-ups. Amy incorporated gentle activity such as stretching, yoga, or brief nature walks. She avoided strenuous hikes or long hours of walking without breaks. When possible, she used public transportation or rideshares instead of exhausting herself by covering long distances on foot. She booked accommodations in central locations to minimize travel time and reduce physical stress.

One of the most powerful parts of Amy’s journey was the emotional resilience it helped her build. Traveling alone with fibromyalgia meant she had to confront her fears, trust her intuition, and accept her body’s limitations without judgment. She practiced mindfulness, journaling her experiences each evening to process the challenges and joys of her days. She also used grounding techniques during moments of anxiety, such as deep breathing and sensory observation. Each successful day became a testament to her strength, not in avoiding pain, but in navigating it with patience and wisdom.

Amy also learned to communicate clearly and assertively, particularly when seeking help or accommodations. Whether it was requesting a seat near the front on public transport, asking for assistance with luggage, or explaining her needs at hotels and tourist sites, she found that most people were willing to help when approached with clarity and confidence. These interactions reminded her that vulnerability and independence were not mutually exclusive.

Community played a surprising role in her solo travels. Although she traveled alone, Amy connected with fellow travelers, local residents, and even other people living with fibromyalgia through online forums and meetups. She shared tips, received encouragement, and sometimes made spontaneous friendships that added richness to her experience. These connections reaffirmed her belief that isolation was not a requirement of illness, nor of solo travel.

Over the next two years, Amy expanded her travel map. She visited cities in Spain, explored the coastal villages of Croatia, and found tranquility in the lavender fields of southern France. Each trip came with new lessons. There were setbacks, like the time she spent an entire day recovering in her hotel room after misjudging her limits or the long train ride that left her in pain for days. But these moments did not stop her. Instead, they became part of her evolving travel narrative.

Her story eventually caught the attention of the chronic illness community online. Amy began blogging about her experiences, offering resources for others living with fibromyalgia who wanted to explore travel but felt held back by fear or uncertainty. She covered topics such as planning accessible itineraries, navigating airports with limited energy, managing travel insurance, and maintaining routines while on the road. Her platform grew into a supportive space where individuals could learn from each other and share their own travel victories.

Amy’s story challenges the conventional narrative around chronic illness and limitations. Rather than seeing fibromyalgia as an obstacle that defined or confined her, she chose to integrate it into her life in a meaningful and respectful way. She redefined what adventure meant. It was not about conquering peaks or checking off destinations. It was about listening, adapting, and finding joy in moments of presence, even when they occurred from the seat of a quiet café or under the shade of a foreign tree.

Today, Amy continues to travel, adjusting each journey based on her evolving health. Her approach remains rooted in flexibility, preparation, and self-compassion. She mentors others through her online community, reminding them that living with fibromyalgia does not mean giving up on life’s dreams. Instead, it means learning new ways to reach them.

Amy’s adventure proves that solo travel with fibromyalgia is not only possible but can be transformative. With planning, patience, and a deep respect for one’s body, the world can remain open to exploration, wonder, and connection. Her life stands as a living example that even when chronic illness walks beside us, we can still step forward with courage, discover beauty on our own terms, and carry the spirit of adventure wherever we go.