Joanna’s Joy List: Small Wins That Brighten Her Days With Fibromyalgia

Joanna once defined happiness by grand achievements and milestone moments. A former marketing executive in a fast-paced corporate world, she thrived on deadlines, promotions, and the constant pursuit of bigger goals. Her days were packed with meetings, networking events, and cross-country travel. Then, slowly and almost imperceptibly, her body began to resist the lifestyle she once embraced. First came the relentless fatigue, then the widespread pain that moved from her neck to her back to her legs without reason. Headaches became constant companions, and her memory—once sharp and dependable—began to falter. After years of misdiagnoses and endless testing, she was finally told she had fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, cognitive disturbances known as fibro fog, and nonrestorative sleep. It disproportionately affects women and remains difficult to diagnose due to its wide range of symptoms and the lack of definitive biomarkers. Its invisibility often leads to misunderstanding, with many patients being dismissed or told their symptoms are psychological. Joanna, like many others, faced skepticism both in the healthcare system and in her professional life.

After her diagnosis, Joanna was forced to make drastic changes. She stepped down from her demanding job, reduced her social commitments, and adjusted her daily schedule to prioritize rest and recovery. At first, this new reality left her feeling defeated. Her identity, long tied to productivity and public recognition, seemed to dissolve. Each day became a struggle against pain and exhaustion. She found herself grieving the life she once lived and the person she believed she had lost.

But over time, Joanna discovered a new path toward well-being, one not marked by ambition or external validation, but by small, consistent joys. She began keeping a journal she called her Joy List. It was not a record of accomplishments in the traditional sense. Instead, it became a living document of the tiny victories and gentle pleasures that brought light to her fibromyalgia days. These moments became the anchors that kept her grounded and hopeful.

The first entry in Joanna’s Joy List was deceptively simple: sipping a cup of tea in silence. On a day when her pain had kept her in bed for hours, she managed to make it to the kitchen, boil water, and prepare her favorite herbal blend. Sitting by the window, feeling the warmth of the mug in her hands, she noticed the quiet beauty of the moment. The tea didn’t cure her symptoms, but it brought comfort. That comfort became the first of many small wins that shifted her focus from what she had lost to what remained.

Her list began to grow. On good days, she noted achievements like walking around the block without needing to rest or cooking a simple meal from scratch. On challenging days, the wins were smaller but no less meaningful: reading a single chapter of a book, stretching for five minutes, texting a friend to say hello. These acts reminded her that despite the limitations imposed by fibromyalgia, she could still participate in life in ways that mattered.

Joanna’s Joy List became both a coping strategy and a transformative mindset. It helped her redefine what success looked like. In the world she used to inhabit, success was about output and recognition. In her new world, it was about presence, intention, and resilience. The act of writing down joyful moments trained her mind to seek them out, even in the midst of discomfort. This shift had a measurable impact on her emotional health. Studies have shown that practices like gratitude journaling and positive reinforcement can reduce stress, improve mood, and even lessen the perception of physical pain in chronic illness patients.

She also began incorporating sensory experiences into her list. On days when words failed her and her body felt heavy, she turned to scent, sound, and touch. Lighting a lavender candle, listening to gentle instrumental music, or wrapping herself in a soft blanket became acts of self-care that grounded her in the present moment. She noted the colors of the sky at sunset, the scent of freshly cut fruit, and the feeling of clean sheets against her skin. These seemingly mundane moments took on new meaning.

Joanna shared her practice with her fibromyalgia support group, encouraging others to start their own Joy Lists. The idea resonated. Members began trading small victories and acts of joy during meetings, creating a culture of encouragement and validation. For many, the list became a tool for combating the emotional isolation that often accompanies chronic illness. It reminded them that joy was not off-limits, even on the hardest days.

Over time, Joanna’s list expanded into creative expression. She began sketching illustrations to accompany her entries, capturing the warmth of a sunny afternoon or the serenity of a quiet bath. She collected photographs of small moments—a bloom in her garden, a handwritten note from a friend, a perfectly peeled orange. She also started a blog to share her Joy List and her journey with fibromyalgia, connecting with readers across the globe who found solace and inspiration in her story.

Her approach to wellness became holistic. She continued to work with a rheumatologist for symptom management and incorporated complementary therapies like acupuncture, gentle yoga, and guided meditation. Nutrition also played a role. She adopted an anti-inflammatory diet, prioritizing whole foods, hydration, and gut health. Each positive choice, no matter how small, became another entry on her list.

Joanna’s relationship with her body also changed. Rather than viewing it as a battleground, she began to see it as a partner that deserved care and compassion. On days when pain flared, she listened closely, responding with rest and gentleness rather than frustration. Celebrating small wins allowed her to acknowledge the effort her body was making every day to move, breathe, and heal.

Her Joy List also strengthened her personal relationships. She shared it with family and close friends, helping them understand her condition without needing to explain the medical details repeatedly. It became a way to invite them into her world, to show them what helped, what hurt, and what lifted her spirits. This openness led to deeper conversations and more meaningful support.

As the months passed, Joanna realized that her Joy List had become more than a coping tool. It was a philosophy of living. It helped her stay grounded during flare-ups, appreciate progress when it came slowly, and find peace in stillness. She no longer waited for pain-free days to feel grateful. She stopped postponing happiness until her condition improved. Instead, she found contentment in the moments she once overlooked.

Today, Joanna continues to live with fibromyalgia. Her symptoms have not vanished, but her capacity to navigate them has grown. Her Joy List sits on her nightstand, now filled with hundreds of entries that chart her journey not just through illness, but through resilience and rediscovery. She continues to advocate for greater awareness and compassion around fibromyalgia, reminding others that while the condition alters life, it does not erase the possibility of joy.

Joanna’s story is a testament to the transformative power of small wins. In a world that often glorifies grand success, she chose to celebrate the quiet triumphs that come with living intentionally, lovingly, and gently with a chronic illness. Her Joy List reminds us that happiness is not found only in major events but in the everyday moments we choose to notice, nurture, and hold dear.