Pain Awareness Month is coming to a close—but chronic pain is a 365-day-a-year reality for the more than 60 million Americans living with it.

For people living with pain, September ending does not mean the challenges of pain end with it. Neither does the need for support, understanding, progress, and reasons to keep looking ahead.

Throughout Pain Awareness Month, as we explored All Ages, Countless Diagnoses, Millions of Stories, and One Movement, we asked people living with pain a simple question: What gives you hope or keeps you moving forward?

Here’s what they had to say, in their own words.

1. Support From Loved Ones

Family. Friends. Pets. Others who live with pain as well and truly “get it.”

For many people living with pain, those surrounding and supporting them help them move forward day to day.

“My partner, who is also disabled and in chronic pain.” —Barry, 57

“My family, my friends, and my fur babies.” —Alexandra, 32

“Being surrounded by my family in Celebrate Recovery and at my church. I also have some good friends who also have serious chronic illnesses who fight the good fight every day, and they do it with joy and gratitude. That has taught me a lot about how to live with what I have to every day.” —Niki, 54

“When I watch my child, I look for the tiny glimmers of a typical child that give me hope for a different tomorrow. I look for the moments when she wakes me up to ask if we can go to Starbucks today. Or the moments when she is lost in her own play world and pain is temporarily forgotten. Those glimmers help me keep going on the bad pain days.” —Kari, 37

2. Validation From Providers

Living with pain often means navigating appointments without easy answers.

But being heard, believed, and supported by a provider can make a difference, especially during a long search for relief.

“What helps me with moving forward is the support of my mental health therapist. She reminds me that I can still reach my goals, I just may have to make modifications or ask for help. And that is OK.” —Erica, 45

“Where there are 10 nurses who treat you the worst and don’t believe your pain, there are two that have a heart of compassion.” —Bobbie, 42

“My pain doctor never giving up on me keeps me going, hoping for a better future.” —Christina, 46

3. Treatment and Research Advances

Some have finally landed on a pain management plan that works, after years of frustration.

Others are still searching for relief but hope that ongoing research efforts mean that it will come.

“I am hopeful because fibromyalgia is much more understood now than it was 18 years ago.” —Debbie, 68

“I have found many treatments and supports that have worked after a long journey. I am beyond grateful.” —Carly, 39

“Ahhh, HOPE. What gives me hope is that research is continuing, and new medication and even devices are coming out to help my pain!” —Katie, 58

“I hope that I won’t live with this high of a pain forever.” —Daisy, 13

4. Advocating For Others

For some people, advocacy gives difficult experiences a sense of purpose.

Sharing what they have lived through, speaking up about what needs to change, and helping others facing similar challenges can become reasons to keep moving forward.

“Advocacy. I started advocating for chronic pain and patients because I have to make sense of what happened to me. I have to make something positive come out of it.” —Sammie, 31

“Advocating for others is the only thing that gives me hope.” —Mollie, 58

“The people I love, the people I advocate for, and the belief that my life can still have meaning and purpose even if it doesn’t look the way I once imagined it would.” —Samantha, 43

5. Their Own Determination and Purpose

For some, moving forward comes from something within: faith, purpose, curiosity about what might help next, or simply the determination to keep trying.

Sometimes that means continuing to search for answers. Sometimes it means redefining what life can look like. And sometimes it means getting through today and trying again tomorrow.

“The fact that I can’t stop trying to find answers.” —Johnna, 40

“My faith in Jesus Christ. He carried me through years of CRPS—suicidal thoughts, countless treatments, and moments when I thought I would never walk again. Today, my purpose is to encourage others by showing that even in the midst of pain, there is hope, healing, and purpose.” —Linda, 64

“I have just been moving forward, because I don’t know what else to do. I seem to always believe maybe this or that will work. I do not know how to give up.” —Beverly, 84

6. Creativity, Interests, and Small Wins

Living with chronic pain can make progress feel unpredictable. Often, the things that help are smaller moments of accomplishment or creativity.

For some, that comes in the form of hobbies, interests, or activities that provide distraction or bring meaning on difficult days.

“My creative hobbies give me things to look forward to and focus on other than the pain.” —Max, 24

“Small victories.” —Beth, 72

“I’m a singer/songwriter, and I write songs about my life and about chronic pain, because I know I’m not alone!” —Traci, 49

7. Everyday Reasons to Keep Going

Sometimes hope is not a major breakthrough.

It is a good day. Sunshine. A book. A meal. A conversation. A pet. Helping someone else. Being around people who listen and care.

The everyday things that matter can look completely different from one person to another.

“Hope is when someone smiles. The sun when I am out, even on cold days. Helping one of my neighbors helps me feel needed and capable despite my pain.” —Beverly, 76

“Praying, being around my family and friends, reading books, and writing in my journal.” —Krystal, 37

“Surrounding myself with a supportive community. People around me who take the time to learn and listen. No one will be perfect the first time, but those who are willing to listen are worth everything. People who live with pain and can hold solidarity. Family. Good art. Good food. My sweet dog. Every ‘good day’ or ‘better day’ is celebrated. Every bad day is taken with grace (I try my best).” —Adrianna, 26

When Hope Feels Out of Reach

Many told us about the people, experiences, beliefs, and possibilities that help keep them going. Others were equally honest that hope can be difficult, or even impossible, to feel.

That reality deserves space in this conversation, too.

Their responses are a reminder of how much work remains to improve the understanding, support, care, and treatment available to people living with pain.

“Not much gives me hope.” —Mary, 70

“Pure desperation keeps me going.” —Bill, 66

“Nothing gives me hope. I just survive day to day.” —Anonymous, 56

Carrying Hope Forward

Pain Awareness Month may be ending, but the stories shared do not end with September.

Hope looks different for every person. It may come from family, a provider who keeps trying, new research, advocacy, faith, creativity, a small victory, or simply making it through another day. And sometimes, hope may feel out of reach entirely.

All of those experiences belong in the conversation.

As we carry #OneVoiceForPain beyond Pain Awareness Month, we can keep listening, learning, supporting one another, and working toward a future where people with pain have more reasons to hope.

#LetsChangePain. Together.