During my healing journey, I have spent time trying to understand post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) “triggers”, anxiety and panic attacks. I have learned how my body reacts and how to manage myself when PTSD triggers, and anxiety happens.
I have learned that fatigue is something we all must be careful with in our professional and personal lives, especially when we make decisions. For me fatigue is more powerful than being tired or exhausted, and fatigue is our body’s way of sending us a message.
Dictionary.com defines “fatigue” as “weariness from bodily or mental exertion; a cause of weariness; slow ordeal; exertion.”
This didn’t seem to mean much until I looked up the word “weary,” which is defined as being “physically or mentally exhausted by hard work, exertion, strain, etc.” It also means being “impatient or dissatisfied with something…characterized by or causing impatience or dissatisfaction; tedious; irksome.”
After reading these two definitions, I get it now.
Fatigue is a slow process caused by stress and strain that created impatience and dissatisfaction with certain circumstances at the time, or with people – and sometimes with both. I especially became “weary” of excuses from people.
I’ve wondered why I would reach a point in situations or with people that I finally said, “ENOUGH!” and then move on. I realized I had become fatigued with the situation or the person, and there was no turning back for me.
Usually the person that creates the fatigue has no idea they are causing it – or they don’t care – even after many discussions. Looking back, I often enabled their actions. I thought things would change after numerous discussions and I often bent over backwards to try to make the situation better. I remember each situation of fatigue when the moment I said, “This is it! I’m done.”
For me, once fatigue sets in regarding a person, there is no apology or promise that can change or remove the fatigue. I will accept the apology and when needed I have forgiven them, but there is no turning back and reliving what got me to fatigue. Fatigue is a slow process, so there was time to correct the situation. Once fatigue sets in, only removing the person or situation from my life removes the fatigue and then I feel my energy starting to increase again.
It doesn’t mean I can’t speak to that person or that I don’t like him or her. I just don’t have the desire or energy to continue down that path that is causing the fatigue.
In the past I have been tired and exhausted. With good rest and fresh air, I am ready to get back into the fight. But once fatigue sets in, regardless of the amount of sleep or fresh air I get, I want to be completely removed from that situation or person.
I figured out that fatigue is not healthy. The best way to recover and recharge from fatigue is for me to change the situation (if I can), or remove myself from the situation or from the person or people. It’s really about making a change in my environment.
I now believe that fatigue is the way our body tells us it is time to move on and not to look back. It is amazing to me how the mind and body works together when we listen and pay attention to everything going on internally.
As I continue to share my journey of healing from childhood sexual abuse, I sometimes get tired – even exhausted – but I never get “fatigued” trying to help others heal.
Learn the difference between being tired or exhausted, and being fatigued with your body. Fatigue doesn’t happen overnight. Our emotions are sending us messages. Being weary can cause fatigue.
Remember to rest, recharge, and enjoy nature. Be aware of the messages our bodies are sending us. Enjoy the Journey of Life.
Vince Lombardi said, “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.”
We will not be cowards. We are stronger than we know. Dream big and don’t let fatigue consume you.
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