I worried about this too and felt the same as you do. I tell people if they ask that I'm not working at the moment I always am quite vague about just how long I have not worked for , I tell them what I used to do for work. If it is some one I only just met I tell them i am between jobs because I don't want to go into it all until I know them better. I think the key is to be in control of what and how much you tell some one. Remember you don't have to tell any thing you don't want to. I don't lie to people but I with hold what I don't want them to know. With dating I met my current boyfriend on line. In the profile I put I was between jobs, we texted alot before we met . he would ask me what I had been up to I decided never to lie so if I'd been at a hospital appointment I'd say had hospital appointment. He was too polite to ask what for. Then we met up and got on really well. After 3 dates I had a horrible hospital appointment and just blurted it all out and he didn't run for the hills . it's been nearly 4 months and we are still happy.

I say I'm self employed. I work small jobs at different times. I pace myself most of the time

Oh...and I find myself caring less and less about what others think. I've had to since I have some close family members that won't even acknowledge I'm sick. It used to drive me crazy. I was trying to explain myself to them all the time. My husband finally told me just not to care what they think, we know the truth and that's all that matters.

Boy do I feel and experience the exact same thing! The dread of that question turned me into a hermit last winter. Now I just don't ask people what they do and they usually don't ask me! I know the dilemma of not wanting to launch into a medical history story, but yet feel the need to answer so they don't think I'm just some rich (ha!) or lazy woman!! Depending on who it is, sometimes I will say "I have a lot of health problems and am unable to work" or I will say "I used to teach but have taken time off to spend more time with my kids" I use the former on people I'm comfortable around, the latter for ppl I don't want to tell any health stuff to.

I just say I'm off work right now. If they ask why, I tell them I have Fibromyalgia, how it affects me and that my health is not reliable enough to commit to an employer. Then I tell them I hope to be well enough to go back some day. I don't tell people right off the bat about Fibro, but if it comes up I take the opportunity to spread awareness.