Welp. 2025 sucked.
I like to think I’m pretty good at self-care strategies. But last year was challenging. Here’s my recap including the worst comment from a healthcare provider and some new helpful coping tools.
Worst Comment from a Healthcare Provider
Why haven’t you healed yet?
#fibromyalgia #chronicfatigue #tinnitus #hyperacusis #imbalance #visionloss
Sudden Onset Old Age
I was coping as usual in January to mid February. Then I went to a highly rated physiotherapist to strengthen my core. I guess they didn’t consider my fibromyalgia or history of spinal injuries.
As many people know, worse pain levels means everything else seems worse too. It’s the spiral of chronic life. FUT
The MRI showed that I injured a disc in my back from doing the assigned exercises. Pain is still not down to how I could sit, stand, walk, garden, or do household chores like before. The specialist told me it’s “sudden onset old age.”
New Family Doctor
My new family doctor is good. She believes in injury rehab, and doesn’t think my chronic conditions are caused by mental illness.
She’s referred me to new specialists for my back injury and for ongoing care at the British Columbia Centre for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. My first appointment is in February. I’m looking forward to the online group sessions.
I wonder if any newer options for chronic pain and fatigue will also help with managing my tinnitus and hyperacusis. Will keep you posted on that.
New Coping Tools
I’ve had many years where there was nothing I wanted to add to my coping toolbox for tinnitus, hyperacusis, phonophobia, and misophonia. I already use ambient sound therapy during the day and every night for sleep. I use various distraction and relaxation strategies that work for me, mainly cognitive behaviour therapy self-help techniques.
That doesn’t stop me from checking out different options. It was a surprisingly good year in 2025, because I found some new coping tools to help with sleep, sound, mind, and body enrichment.
YouTube Piano Focus Music
There are many soundscape options for focus or concentration, like the Irish Coast on mynoise.net. It’s been hard to find a piano music option that I like, so I was happy to find this on YouTube.
Box Breathing for Sleep
I use different breathing techniques for different situations. For example, Breathe2Relax app belly breathing for panic attacks or relaxation breathing for falling asleep. Last year, I tried 4 second box breathing, and it helps me fall asleep faster.
Loop Hearing Protection
I did a review of Loop switchable earplugs at my YouTube channel Safe Sound Science with Granny Jan. I like being able to switch between low, medium, and high sound reduction depending on what I need for comfort and noise levels.
I’m still using my Loops for social hearing protection, e.g. loud restaurants, concerts, events, or environments.
I hope people keep normalizing the use of hearing protection like earplugs or earmuffs in uncomfortable or noisy spaces, no matter what style is best for each individual.
Finchcare App
I tried the Finchcare app for a few days, and then quit. But after going back and using Finch daily for over 3 months, I’m loving it. I find it really useful to build new everyday self-care habits for sleep, anxiety, depression, and stress. All important to deal with for chronic pain and tinnitus or hyperacusis.
You get a bird to take care of, but you don’t have to dress it up or decorate your birdhouse if you’re not into that. There is no farming. No quests. Just self-care goals.
Finch activities include questionnaires, First Aid kit, breathing exercises, affirmations, sleep techniques, and soundscape mixes. I wouldn’t use the soundscapes for sleep, because I think I can detect a short audio loop. But the soundscapes are nice for daytime or shorter naps. I still haven’t figured out the whole app after over 100 days, but it’s definitely useful.
I’m planning to review this app in 2026. Stay tuned.
Self-Help Lessons Learned
“Appointmented-out” is the best way to describe my 2025. But I’m always learning more about what self-care works best for me.
There’s always room for new coping tools based on current science, technologies, or self-help options. It’s not about a cure. It’s about a better quality of life while living with chronic conditions.
Funnily enough, the Finchcare app has reminded me of the most important lessons from the past year:
- Take your time with small daily steps or habits towards better coping.
- Give yourself permission to rest.
- Be kind to yourself.
I hope 2026 brings better coping and health for us all.
Quiet cheers, Jan
Check out more of my tinnitus-hyperacusis toolbox and harmful noise content on YouTube at Safe Sound Science with Granny Jan.
For a change of pace, check out my funny and horror tales at Messed Up Storytime with Granny Jan.