Tag: #ChronicFatigue

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When Trying to be Healthy Feels Like a Full-Time Job

The Pressure to Always Be On

There’s this pressure, spoken or not, to always be doing the most when it comes to your health. Show up to the gym, eat clean, get your steps in, drink the water, take the supplements, regulate your blood sugar, balance your hormones, sleep well, repeat. And when you’re doing it all for weeks or months, it starts to feel like you should be used to it by now. That it should come naturally. That if you’re tired, it must be something you’re doing wrong.

But here’s the truth: sometimes, trying to do everything right is just plain exhausting.

Especially when your body is already working against you.

When the Baseline Is Already Hard

Living with PCOS means that no matter how well I eat or how consistently I move, my body still throws curveballs. Chronic fatigue makes even simple tasks feel like they’re being done underwater some days. And I know I’m not the only one. So many people are dealing with invisible conditions. Autoimmune disorders. Mental health struggles. Endocrine issues. Chronic pain. It’s not just about doing the work. It’s about doing the work while your body resists every step.

You’re not lazy. You’re not broken. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re just carrying more than most people see.

The Perfection Trap

There’s a lie that creeps in when you’re trying to get healthy, that if you just stay consistent, you’ll feel better and better and better. And maybe that’s true for some people. But for those of us with long-term health struggles, it’s rarely that linear.

Sometimes, the most consistent thing you can do is rest.

And I don’t mean that in a cute, wellness-influencer kind of way. I mean that when your body is shot and your brain is foggy and everything hurts, it’s okay to take the day off. It’s okay to nap instead of lift. It’s okay to eat the thing. It’s okay to just exist.

You are not required to earn your rest.

Grace Over Guilt

One of the hardest parts of living with chronic health issues is the guilt that sneaks in. You know what to do. You’ve done it before. And yet today, you can’t. So you beat yourself up. You feel like a failure.

Stop.

Give yourself some grace. Real, honest grace. Not the kind where you “rest” and then punish yourself with two extra workouts later. Not the kind where you eat a snack and then spend hours trying to undo it.

The kind of grace that says, “I trust myself enough to know that taking care of me looks different every day.”

The Watchful Eyes (and the Hypocrisy)

There’s another layer to all this that no one really prepares you for. The spectators. Once people know you’re working on your health, it’s like they’re waiting for you to slip up. You mention you’re doing keto, and suddenly everyone’s a nutritionist. You eat one non-keto thing and it’s, “I thought you weren’t eating that anymore?”

Meanwhile, these same people are drinking soda for breakfast and haven’t had a vegetable in three days. But sure, let’s judge the girl with PCOS for eating a granola bar.

Here’s what I’ve learned. Most of the people who point fingers aren’t actually doing the work themselves. They just feel more comfortable when you’re struggling because it lets them off the hook.

Let them talk. Let them side-eye. Let them whisper. You don’t owe anyone perfection.

You’re allowed to change your mind, shift your plan, take breaks, and figure it out as you go. You are allowed to do what works for you. Because in the end, their opinions won’t get you through the hard days. You will.

It’s Not a Linear Path

Some days will be full of momentum and motivation. You’ll hit your macros, lift heavy, and feel like you’re making progress. And then there will be days where just getting out of bed takes everything you’ve got. That’s not failure. That’s life with a body that doesn’t always cooperate.

Health isn’t a straight line. It’s not a before and after photo. It’s a thousand tiny choices made over time, layered with rest, setbacks, and reminders that your worth has never been tied to your productivity.

So if today is one of the hard ones, you’re allowed to rest. You’re allowed to feel tired. You’re allowed to not be okay.

And you’re still on the path.

xoxo
-S

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Navigating Life with Constant Fatigue: A Pragmatic Approach

Living with constant fatigue is like trying to swim through molasses. It’s an invisible weight that drags down every moment of your day, turning even the simplest tasks into monumental efforts. While everyone gets tired, feeling perpetually exhausted is different—it’s a state of being that infiltrates every aspect of life.

The All-Consuming Nature of Fatigue

Fatigue isn’t just about feeling sleepy. It’s a pervasive sense of weariness that affects your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Your body feels heavy, your mind sluggish. Concentrating on tasks becomes a Herculean effort, and motivation to engage in even enjoyable activities dwindles.

Daily Life Under the Shadow of Exhaustion

Everyday routines become battlegrounds. Getting out of bed in the morning can feel like a victory, and simply making it through a day at work or school is a commendable achievement. Social engagements, once a source of joy, may now feel like obligations that drain your remaining energy reserves.

Productivity plummets. Tasks that used to take minutes now take hours, and your tolerance for stress diminishes. Even decision-making becomes daunting, as mental fatigue blurs your ability to think clearly.

The Emotional Toll

The constant tiredness brings a slew of emotional challenges. Irritability and mood swings become frequent companions. The energy to maintain relationships or pursue passions fades, leading to feelings of isolation and frustration. It’s hard to explain to others why you’re not “just tired” but persistently exhausted. The lack of understanding can exacerbate feelings of loneliness.

Acceptance Without Surrender

Acknowledging the state of constant fatigue is not about giving up; it’s about recognizing the reality of your situation. Accepting that this is your current state allows you to manage your expectations and priorities realistically.

Living pragmatically with fatigue involves:

  • Setting Realistic Goals: Adjusting your expectations to what you can feasibly accomplish each day.
  • Prioritizing Tasks: Focusing on essential activities and letting go of non-essential ones without guilt.
  • Seeking Support: Building a support system of understanding friends, family, or colleagues who can offer practical help or emotional support.
  • Practicing Self-Compassion: Being kind to yourself and recognizing that your value isn’t defined by your productivity or energy levels.

The Importance of Validation

One of the most challenging aspects of living with constant fatigue is the lack of external validation. Unlike more visible ailments, fatigue is often misunderstood or dismissed. Finding a community, whether online or in-person, where others share similar experiences can be incredibly validating. Knowing you’re not alone can provide a sense of solidarity and understanding.

A Journey, Not a Destination

Navigating life with chronic fatigue is an ongoing process. It’s about finding a balance that allows you to function within your limits while maintaining a sense of self-worth and purpose. It requires patience, both with yourself and with the process of adapting to your energy levels.

Ultimately, living with constant fatigue is about survival and adaptation. It’s about making the most of the energy you have, finding joy in small victories, and seeking connection with those who understand your journey. While it may be a challenging road, it’s one that many travel, finding ways to persist and even thrive amidst the exhaustion.

What do you think? Are you tired, too?

xoxo
-S