so i have learnt when we dont know about something we cant accept that it can exist further if you do not display any symptoms physically of being ill people think you are making it up i have been through this all yet survived because of my support group having a troubled teenage life because of the disease made me cut off from people but my family stepped in to make me realise that it is ok to trust people my partner stepped into my life to make me believe that i can be loved in a way i never thought i would be till date i hear people asking me what is that with a smirk when i talk to them about fibromyalgia chronic fatigue illness or temporomandibular joint disorder and it is this very reaction that has led me to form the purple pact indias only chronic pain help group which i plan to legally register very soon mansi kohli what do you still need to observe to maintain a healthy lifestyle sagarika chakraborty a lot of things i cant subject myself to extreme temperatures i have to take note of what i eat i have to be off gluten and thus avoid a lot of foods i tend to have brain fog often in mornings thus i have to put a lot of reminders on my pda for various things yes not to forget i have to watch my every step for i tend to fall a lot now mansi kohli what advice would you give to someone in a similar situation as yourssagarika chakraborty be open and admit that something is wrong with you as this is the first step to healing just because the world thinks that this condition doesnt exist doesnt mean that you have to play along with them read a lot and talk a lot sign up for self help groups youll be amazed at the power of living arms around you those with your condition will strengthen you and also make you cautious of what to avoid avoid dependency on pain killers and other medicines instead try alternate treatments like meditation music therapy etc surround yourself with an activity you love motivate your own self understand your body know its needs and limitations do not push it thinking the pain will go away you shall only land in more pain most of all love the person you see in the mirror for if you dont anyone else will do not expect sympathy from people but do not hide the fact that you are in pain too bad if they dont understand doesnt mean that you hide your discomfort also find yourself a doctor who understands your condition most importantly run away if heshe says it is all in your head and prescribes you antidepressants mansi kohli what is your vision and inspiration behind your book a calendar too crowdedsagarika chakraborty life and the society around me provoke me