living in the rythym of pain

Every person lives in their own rhythm, and some are shaped by the rhythm of pain. Those with chronic pain may relate to this experience.

As the world becomes faster-paced, many people are experiencing physical and mental overload, particularly due to work and personal life. Fibromyalgia is one such disorder, where stress plays a significant role in triggering the condition. One issue leads to another, overwhelming the body and immune system.

Fibromyalgia is a complex condition that causes widespread pain, fatigue, and cognitive issues. Its causes remain unclear, but it is believed to involve a mix of genetic, neurological, and environmental factors. Stress exacerbates symptoms by keeping the nervous system in a heightened state of alertness, amplifying pain signals, and creating a vicious cycle of pain and stress. Often, fibromyalgia is diagnosed as an exclusion diagnosis when a patient’s symptoms don’t fit typical medical categories, leaving them frequently misunderstood by doctors.

Chronic pain lasts for more than three months and often requires daily painkillers. However, in cases like fibromyalgia, conventional painkillers are not effective.

I am 22, and my fibromyalgia symptoms began when I was 21. Living with fibromyalgia means managing both energy and pain while trying to maintain mental balance. For me, the key is to reduce what I can, focusing on personal growth and the hope for future relief. It’s difficult to live a “normal” life, and being misunderstood by others only adds to the struggle.

This project captures my inner thoughts on the temporality of pain. Each card visualizes an abstract form of pain, reflecting the distorted perception of time that many people with chronic pain, including myself, experience.