Hello, lovely soul. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re struggling with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a condition that can feel as elusive as it is exhausting. Today, I want to share with you some insights into the potential causes of CFS and how understanding these can be a significant step towards healing. As someone who specializes in healing deep-seated wounds, I believe in a holistic approach that addresses not just the physical symptoms but the emotional and spiritual roots of this condition.
What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), is a complex and debilitating disorder characterized by profound fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest and may worsen with physical or mental activity. The fatigue is often accompanied by other symptoms such as muscle pain, memory issues, insomnia, and post-exertional malaise, where even minor physical or mental efforts can exacerbate symptoms.
The Conventional View: Physical Causes
Medical science often struggles to pinpoint a single cause for CFS. Some of the theories suggest that it might be triggered by viral infections, immune system problems, hormonal imbalances, or a combination of these factors. Stress and trauma are also considered potential contributors, as they can have profound effects on the immune and endocrine systems, potentially leading to the persistent fatigue seen in CFS.
While these physical causes are essential to understand, they often only scratch the surface of what might be going on. That’s why it’s crucial to look deeper.
The Holistic Perspective: Emotional and Spiritual Causes
From a holistic standpoint, chronic fatigue syndrome can be seen as a manifestation of unresolved emotional and spiritual issues. Here’s where things get truly transformative.
1. Emotional Patterns and Core Wounds
Your emotional health plays a significant role in your overall well-being. The Core Wounds that you experienced in the womb, especially the Core Wound of “unlovable” that’s most common among women, can create deep-seated emotional patterns that affect your health. For instance, feelings of abandonment, fear, or a lack of self-worth can lead to behaviors and thought patterns that drain your energy over time from the constant need to seek love and worthiness. (You are SO COMPLETELY lovable, but your Core Wound has told you a different story all your life.)
2. People-Pleasing and Overcommitment
Women, in particular, are often socialized to be caretakers and people-pleasers. This constant drive to meet others’ needs while neglecting your own can lead to severe burnout. If you’re always busy, always doing for others, and never for yourself, your body eventually rebels. The fatigue you feel might be your body’s way of forcing you to slow down and pay attention to your own needs.
By WHY do you people-please? At the deepest level, it’s because of that Core Wound of feeling unlovable. More than filling a need to feel loved, you’re unconsciously (and sometimes consciously) trying to keep everyone else happy so that they don’t get mad at you, abandon you, and reinforce the message that you are unlovable.
3. Spiritual Disconnect
Many women with CFS feel disconnected from their true selves and their life purpose – if not in consciously knowing it, then in putting into action. Their busy-ness might be a way to feel like their achieving something, even if it isn’t in the direction their souls are leading them. Reconnecting with your inner self, your passions, and your spiritual path can be incredibly revitalizing. It’s about finding what truly makes your heart sing and regularly creating the time to enjoy that.
Healing the Whole Self
So, how can you begin to heal from chronic fatigue syndrome? The key lies in addressing all levels of your being: physical, emotional, and spiritual.
1. Listening to Your Body
Your body is incredibly wise. The symptoms you’re experiencing are messages trying to tell you something. Instead of seeing them as something to be eradicated, view them as signals guiding you towards what needs attention and healing in your life.
2. Emotional Healing
Working with a healer who can help you uncover and resolve these deep emotional patterns can be transformative. Releasing old traumas and beliefs that no longer serve you – ESPECIALLY the Core Wounds, which are the foundation of all the others – is the most powerful thing you can do to heal CFS.
3. Setting Boundaries
Learning that it’s OK to say no and setting healthy boundaries is crucial. People who truly care about you WANT you to put yourself first sometimes. As you begin to honor your needs, you’ll find that your energy levels improve.
4. Spiritual Practice
Engaging in practices that nourish your spirit, such as meditation, art, or spending time in nature, can help you reconnect with your inner self. Finding a community that lets you participate according to your energy levels can also provide support and guidance on your healing journey.
Moving Forward with Hope
Healing from chronic fatigue syndrome is a journey that requires patience, compassion, and a willingness to explore all aspects of your being. That said, it doesn’t have to take a long time, provided that ALL the root causes are identified and resolved. It’s about peeling back the layers of the onion, as I like to say, to get to the core of what’s truly causing your fatigue. By addressing not just the physical symptoms but also the emotional and spiritual roots, you can move towards a place of greater balance, energy, and joy.
Remember, your body is not the enemy; it’s a wise and wonderful partner in your healing journey. Listen to it, honor it, and give yourself the love and care you deserve. Together, we can uncover the deeper causes of your fatigue and create a path towards true, holistic healing.
Much Love,
