Are You Sabotaging Your CFS Recovery Without Realizing It?
Introduction
Recovery from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or long COVID can feel like a rollercoaster. One day, you’re making progress—maybe even feeling hopeful. Then suddenly, symptoms flare up, and you’re back in fear, frustration, and doubt.
But what if part of the problem isn’t just your body, but also your mindset and reactions?
Many people unknowingly sabotage their recovery without realizing it. I’ve been there myself, stuck in negative thought loops that made everything harder. The good news? Once you recognize these patterns, you can change them.
This blog is your reality check. If you find yourself struggling with the same setbacks over and over, it’s time to ask: Am I standing in my own way?
1. Defending the Illness: Are You Reinforcing Your Own Limitations?
One way we unknowingly keep ourselves stuck is by constantly reinforcing the belief that recovery isn’t possible.
🔹 What does this look like?
- When someone says, “You’ll get better,” you instantly respond, “No, I won’t.”
- When family or friends encourage you, you list all the reasons why it’s impossible.
- You repeat phrases like:
❌ “I’ll never recover.”
❌ “My case is different.”
❌ “I’ve tried everything, nothing works.”
🔹 Why is this a problem?
Your subconscious mind listens to what you say. The more you reinforce the belief that recovery is impossible, the more your brain will find ways to make that true.
🛠 How to change it:
- Acknowledge your struggle without reinforcing negativity. Instead of saying, “I’ll never recover,” try:
✅ “Recovery is tough, but I am making small steps forward.” - Stay open to possibilities. Recovery doesn’t happen overnight, but many people (including me!) have made it to the other side.
2. Talking Yourself Out of Recovery
Have you ever made great progress for a few days, only to suddenly start doubting everything?
🔹 What does this look like?
- You feel good for a few days, then symptoms flare up.
- Instead of seeing it as part of the process, you panic:
❌ “I completely blew it.”
❌ “I’m back to square one.”
❌ “This isn’t working.”
🔹 Why is this a problem?
- Recovery isn’t linear—it has ups and downs.
- If you let one setback erase all your progress, you’ll keep repeating the same cycle of fear and frustration.
- Fear itself makes symptoms worse. Anxiety fuels the nervous system, making it even harder to heal.
🛠 How to change it:
- Recognize adjustment periods as normal. Instead of saying, “I’m back to square one,” try:
✅ “This is part of the process. I’ve improved before, and I will again.” - Zoom out and look at the big picture. One bad day doesn’t erase weeks of progress.
3. Reacting to Symptoms with More Fear & Negativity
When symptoms flare up, it’s easy to spiral into negative self-talk.
🔹 What does this look like?
- Feeling anxious ➝ Responding with more anxiety.
- Noticing a symptom ➝ Telling yourself, “This means I’m getting worse.”
- Worrying about every small setback instead of trusting the process.
🔹 Why is this a problem?
- Your thoughts affect your nervous system. Constant fear keeps your body in fight-or-flight mode, making symptoms worse.
- The more you fear symptoms, the stronger they seem.
🛠 How to change it:
- Instead of reacting with fear, practice neutral thinking:
✅ “This symptom is uncomfortable, but I don’t need to panic.”
✅ “I’ve felt like this before, and it passed. It will pass again.” - Shift from reacting to observing. Think of symptoms like waves in the ocean—sometimes big, sometimes small, but they always come and go.
4. Extending Recovery Time by Staying in Negative Thought Loops
Every time you spiral into negativity, you’re dragging out your recovery process.
🔹 What does this look like?
- Instead of bouncing back from a tough day, you stay stuck in negative thoughts for weeks.
- You keep repeating the same fears and doubts every time you feel worse.
- You convince yourself that you’re failing, even when you’ve made progress.
🔹 Why is this a problem?
If you stay in a cycle of doubt and negativity, it prolongs your recovery. What could have been a two-day adjustment period turns into two weeks.
🛠 How to change it:
- Recognize when you’re spiraling. Catch yourself when you start saying:
❌ “I knew this would happen.”
❌ “This means I’ll never recover.” - Interrupt the cycle. Take a deep breath, remind yourself:
✅ “This is just a moment, not my whole journey.” - Write down one small win from the past week to remind yourself of progress.
Final Reality Check: Are You Standing in Your Own Way?
If you’re stuck in the same place month after month, ask yourself:
✔️ Am I defending my illness instead of being open to recovery?
✔️ Do I talk myself out of progress when things get tough?
✔️ Am I reacting to symptoms with fear instead of trust?
✔️ Am I making setbacks last longer by staying in negative thought loops?
Recovery isn’t just about physical healing. It’s about retraining your mindset, reactions, and beliefs.
The truth? You have more power over your recovery than you think.
Change your mindset, change your progress.
Want Extra Support in Your Recovery?
If you find yourself repeating the same struggles, consider getting extra guidance.
💡 Recovery Jumpstart is a program designed to:
✅ Help you shift out of negative thought loops.
✅ Teach you how to navigate symptoms without fear.
✅ Give you weekly coaching & a supportive community to keep you on track.
If you’re serious about breaking free from the cycle of self-sabotage, apply for the program below and see if it’s the right fit for you.
Remember: You are just one mind shift away from thriving health.