Why People with Chronic Illness Aren’t Lazy — A Daily Functioning Breakdown
Living with chronic illness is often invisible — but the impacts are very real. If you’ve ever felt like you’re falling behind your peers or unable to “keep up,” this post is for you. Whether you’re living with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME), or another chronic condition, I want to offer both validation and a framework for understanding how your body functions compared to someone without these challenges.
As someone who personally lives with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue — and as a holistic nutritionist who supports others with chronic illness — I know the toll it takes on your energy, focus, emotions, and sleep. It can affect your ability to work full-time, show up for your kids, and even think clearly. And yet, so many of us keep pushing through, comparing ourselves to others as if we’re all starting from the same place.
We’re not.
Here’s a comparison to help put things in perspective:
Functioning With vs. Without Chronic Illness
Area of Life No Chronic Illness With Chronic Illness
Physical Energy 90–100% 40–60% (lower during flares)
Mental Clarity 85–95% 50–70% (fibro fog is real).
Sleep Quality Restorative Non-restorative, often with insomnia
Work Capacity 35–50 hours/week 10–25 hours/week (if sustainable)
Emotional Load Moderate High (pain, fatigue, survival mode)
Parenting Often shared (if partnered) Solo, no off-switch
When you’re living with a chronic condition, your body simply costs more to operate. You’re not lazy. You’re not failing. You’re functioning with a nervous system, immune system, and energy metabolism that’s under strain. Add to that the emotional and physical demands of being a single parent (if that’s you) — and it’s no wonder you feel exhausted.
Why This Matters
So many of my clients living with chronic illness feel like they’re “not doing enough.” They see friends working full-time, running marathons, or parenting with what seems like ease — and feel guilt or shame for needing rest, working part-time, or canceling plans.
But when we acknowledge the reality — that your 50% output might actually require 200% effort — things begin to make sense. You’re not behind. You’re carrying more. And you’re doing it with strength, even on the days you feel weak.
Supporting Your Body with Compassion
Understanding your functional baseline is a key step toward healing. As a holistic nutritionist, my goal is to help clients:
Identify root causes (gut issues, inflammation, hormonal imbalances)
Support energy naturally through personalized nutrition and supplementation
Regulate the nervous system using lifestyle tools (not just willpower)
Create realistic rhythms based on where you are — not where others are
You deserve a plan that honours your body’s needs. That includes rest, gentle nourishment, and pacing — not just pushing through.
You’re Doing More Than Enough
If you’ve made it to the end of this post while juggling pain, fatigue, and responsibilities, please hear this:
You are not broken. You’re carrying a heavier load — and you’re still showing up. That is more than enough.
Let’s stop comparing ourselves to people who aren’t living in our bodies. Let’s create new benchmarks — based on sustainability, self-compassion, and true nourishment.
If you’re ready to explore a personalized, root-cause approach to healing, I’d love to support you.
[Click here to book a free discovery call or explore my offerings]
With deep compassion,
Alexis Tanner, The Nutritionist Mama
Holistic Nutritionist | Chronic Illness Advocate