How to Build Confidence in Your CFS Recovery (Even When Doubt is High)
Introduction
Recovering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) can feel overwhelming, especially in the beginning. Confidence is at an all-time low, doubt is at an all-time high, and you may be questioning whether recovery is even possible for you.
If you’re feeling this way, you’re not alone. I’ve been there. I went from being a personal trainer, strong and active, to being completely bedridden and unable to walk. But as I slowly built momentum in my recovery, my doubt faded, and my confidence grew.
In this post, we’ll talk about why doubt is so high in the beginning, why that’s completely normal, and how you can build confidence over time through action and progress.
Why Doubt is So High at the Start
If you’re watching this, you’ve likely tried doctors, specialists, supplements, diets, and alternative treatments—with little or no success.
Maybe you’ve spent time and money on solutions that gave you temporary hope, only to end up disappointed. This makes it hard to believe that any new approach will work.
Your brain naturally starts asking:
❌ “That worked for you, but will it work for me?”
❌ “What if my case is different?”
❌ “What if I try this and fail again?”
This is completely normal at the start. You don’t have proof yet that things can improve, so your brain leans toward doubt.
The Freight Train Analogy: Why the Beginning Feels the Hardest
Think of recovery like trying to start a freight train.
🚂 At a dead stop, it takes massive effort to move. The first few inches feel impossible.
🚂 Once it starts rolling, momentum builds. It gets easier to keep going.
🚂 Eventually, it moves effortlessly at full speed.
Most of the energy in recovery is spent in the early days—when it feels like nothing is working. But if you stay consistent, things slowly shift.
The Confidence vs. Doubt Curve
Let’s break this down:
📉 At the start:
- Confidence is rock bottom—you don’t fully believe this will work.
- Doubt is sky-high—your brain questions every step.
- Symptoms feel overwhelming—you don’t see immediate results.
📈 Over time:
- You experience small wins. A little more energy, better sleep, or fewer symptoms.
- Doubt starts to lower. You see proof that things can improve.
- Confidence grows. You start trusting the process.
Eventually, confidence rises above doubt, and your belief in recovery becomes stronger than your fear of symptoms.
Why Avoiding Symptoms Keeps You Stuck
Most people believe that avoiding symptoms is the key to recovery. That’s not true.
💡 Symptoms are not the enemy. They are a normal part of healing and a sign that your body is adjusting.
Instead of thinking:
❌ “Oh no, symptoms are back. I must be getting worse.”
Try thinking:
✅ “This is part of the process. My body is adapting.”
Every time you respond to symptoms without fear, you rewire your brain to see them as normal, not dangerous. This is where confidence begins to grow.
Progress Cycles: How Confidence Builds Over Time
Recovery isn’t a straight line. It follows progress cycles:
1️⃣ You start feeling better. You do a little more—walk longer, go outside, engage in life.
2️⃣ Symptoms appear. Your body is adjusting to the increased activity.
3️⃣ You manage the symptoms correctly. Instead of panicking, you rest, pace, and stay calm.
4️⃣ Your body adapts. You feel stronger than before.
5️⃣ You repeat the process. Over time, your energy and resilience improve.
Each time you complete a progress cycle, your confidence grows because you’ve proven to yourself that you can handle it.
How to Build Confidence in Your Recovery
✅ 1. Focus on Small Wins
- Did you have one day with fewer symptoms? That’s a win.
- Did you tolerate a little more activity? That’s a win.
- Did you feel slightly calmer today than yesterday? Another win.
Tiny improvements stack up over time, even if they seem small at first.
✅ 2. Shift Your Mindset on Symptoms
- Symptoms don’t mean you’re getting worse.
- They are part of the healing process.
- Fear fuels symptoms—but learning to stay neutral weakens them.
✅ 3. Stick to Long-Term Thinking
- Short-term: Focus on daily habits, not just symptoms.
- Long-term: Keep a vision of where you want to be.
✅ 4. Control Emotional Ups & Downs
- Don’t get too excited on good days or too discouraged on bad days.
- Stay as neutral as possible—this prevents an emotional rollercoaster.
✅ 5. Take Action, Even When Doubt is High
- You don’t need 100% belief to start. You just need to take the next small step.
- The more you act, the more proof you collect that this works.
The Truth About Recovery: Belief Comes AFTER Evidence
Most people wait for 100% belief before taking action. But in reality:
🚫 You won’t believe fully at first.
✅ You will start to believe as you see proof that it works.
Confidence grows through action, not just learning.
Final Thoughts: Keep Moving Forward
I don’t know exactly where you are in your journey, but I do know this:
- If doubt is high right now, that’s normal.
- If you’re scared this won’t work, that’s normal.
- If you’re waiting for full confidence before starting, you’ll be waiting forever.
Just take the next step. Slowly, confidence will rise, and doubt will fade.
Want More Support? Join Recovery Academy!
If you’re struggling with doubt and need step-by-step guidance, check out Recovery Academy.
✅ Weekly coaching calls
✅ A supportive community of Thrivers
✅ Tools to help rewire your nervous system
Click here to learn more → Recovery Academy
What Do You Think? Comment Below!
💬 Where is your confidence vs. doubt right now?
💬 What small win have you had lately?
Comment below! I’d love to hear your thoughts.
And remember:
You are just one mind shift away from thriving health. 💙