I really want to go back and get a master’s degree. I don’t know in what exactly, I just know that I want more than my current degree is offering. For me really the option would be an online university because most of the time I’m too sick to even put on shoes.

I’ve looked at a lot of different schools and so far I’m really impressed with Western Governors University Online. First off, it’s regionally and nationally accredited. They are nationally accredited by the DETC and their regional accreditation is from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Plus it’s cheaper than the schools in my state and it would be a lot more convenient. They are probably the only online university I’ve ever seen that offers Pell Grants which can really help cut down if not eliminate student loans. The other really amazing thing is that you pay by the term instead of the course which means you can get as much work done as you possibly can in that time.

I’ve been looking around at online universities for years trying to find one that had good financial aid, accreditation and just made sense for my life. My point is that I know first hand how fibromyalgia can affect higher education but that isn’t any excuse to quit.

The only problem with her programs was her. I didn’t like who she was as a person, very abrasive and rude. She always kept telling people that they needed to support her by giving her money because she was giving them all this information. This was totally different from most other internet marketers out there. Usually they provide a service and tell you that it’s worthwhile. I found myself feeling guilty and upset. Then I came across the novel idea to just stop listening. If the self help wasn’t helping me then there really wasn’t any value in it. I’d much rather spend time with Paul McKenna’s books because he seems like a positive person.

Then I remember all of the things that I can’t do. I’m going to Texas for my brothers wedding in a few weeks. Sadly, I really considered not going just because of my health. It will mean taking a week off of work. Then I’ll get back and between all the car rides/airplane rides/ and hotel beds I’ll probably be really exhausted and sick for at least a month. If it was anyone else’s wedding I probably wouldn’t go but it’s important to me that I be there. So for now this is the main event in 2010. You know the thing that you bill as “Fibro vs. Life”? What are your main events for 2010?

Then I went out to the car and realized there was frost on it. As I was looking for the frost scraper I thought “Why don’t they make these things bigger so I don’t have to work as much. They should be as big as a snow shovel.” I couldn’t find the snow scraper so I used a credit card. I managed to scrape about one eye hole before I was shivering and sick. My arms hurt and it was just impossible to get a visible spot on the windshield. I had to go back in the house because what was supposed to be a simple errand had become a marathon and I wasn’t wearing mbt shoes. It pretty much ruined my plans for the day. So, usually I wouldn’t give away my grand invention ideas away, but I’m hoping someone will actually invent this. I would definitely buy an oversized windshield scraper.

Them: What’s Wrong?
Me: I’m tired (Also interchangeable with I don’t feel good.)
Them: Did you sleep good last night?
Me: Of course not (Secretly thinking I have fibromyalgia. I don’t need a reason to be tired. I am always tired.)

Plus, if I say I’m achy the other person asks if I have the flu. Keep in mind that these are all people who know I have fibromyalgia. It would be so nice to finally be able to just say that I feel good and mean it.

When things are good I try and rest more. However, the sheer panic and stress of just really not liking what I do has become a driving force. Instead of a light bulb going off over my head, entire wall sconces light up. It becomes clear that in order to be at my healthiest and therefore happiest I need to work for myself totally. The trouble with residual income is that I don’t know if I’m going in the right direction. If not I guess it will just make me even more frustrated so I can pour all that energy into the next project.

I remember a thing on Oprah about your “real age” instead of your calendar age. I try to be as healthy as possible but the stress just makes me feel really worn out. The rest of the month I’m really going to focus more on applying for different upfront paying writing sites even if they pay less. As long as there is less stress I’ll probably make as much money and be able to sleep at night. I don’t know if such a company exists but I’m on a quest to find out. Does anyone work for a writing company that offers upfront payments where the editors don’t make unreasonable requests constantly?

Undefined rules. Most of these services reserve the right to reject your work. If that’s the case I want reasons and explanations so I can improve my work and see where I went wrong. Form letters and rejections don’t do it for me. I don’t mind if a company is choosy as long as they let their writers know what they are looking for.

Too much stress. I have been accepted at some higher paying services and while I try to keep an open relationship with them, I may end up choosing to work for a site that will only pay me 1/2 or a 1/3 of the higher payout. Why? Stress makes my fibormyalgia flare. If I have to deal with a bunch of editors for my livelihood and they have free reign to be snarky, this causes me not to sleep well at night which makes me sick. Often I’ll find that I can write simple articles and my per hour wage ends up the same as at a larger company but I’m not tense.

Competition. I generally won’t write for a site that has multiple writers working on the same topic. I find that a lot of the higher payouts are for sites where tons of writers will work on the same article and then one writer will be chosen and paid for their work. I shouldn’t have to “win” if I do my job.

Defined pay structure. Whether it’s residual or upfront I want to know what I’m making whether it’s a flat fee or a percentage of impressions.

Growth potential. If a company was going to pay you tons of money to write short reviews and they were honest and fair then everyone would quit their day jobs. This would lead to tons of competition and the company would eventually implode under it’s own weight. I usually look for companies with a sound business model where I can make money both now and in the future as they expand and get larger.

Unlimited work that compliments my personal knowledge. This is my job, I put in the same hours writing that I would in a traditional office environment. Sometimes I think that I type so fast that I need industrial equipment. If a service only has a few highly technical articles and they aren’t willing to pay big bucks for them I’ll usually cross the site off my list.

What do you look for in a writing company?

Forget working at a desk. The idea that a desk wasn’t right for me was first recommended to me several years ago on a post I did trying to find a comfortable office chair. My first thought was “Well, that’s where you work, at a desk. It’s supposed to make you more efficient.” Now my desk is where I stack all of my papers. I usually work lying on a couch.

Work when you are at your best. Obviously if you don’t feel well then your work and productivity will suffer. This may mean reading a colonix review or just getting your daily exercise in before you work. I like to have my work done a few days in advance just so if I get sick I’ll be able to give myself a break. At least for me, working at the last minute usually causes or worsens a fibro flare.

Build a nest. Even sitting on a couch for hour after hour can cause me to be in excruciating pain. I use pillows to prop up my arms so my elbows aren’t at weird angles.

Figure out your lighting situation. I’ve had my eyes routinely checked by eye doctors but they usually conclude that even though I wear glasses, my headaches come from fibromyalgia. The easiest way I’ve found to combat this is to just not use overhead lights. I have a series of lamps that I turn on for the best lighting conditions if I work at night.

Take plenty of breaks. If you are transitioning from a traditional office environment you are probably use to an eight hour work day. You’ll probably still need to work the same amount initially, but that doesn’t mean that you have to do it all at once. Taking time to get up and walk around can help keep your muscles from feeling sore.

What are your tips to work at home comfortably with fibromyalgia?