Inspiring Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Recovery - Gemma Hanley's Story

[@CFSHealth]

Comment below your biggest takeaway from Gemma’s Journey!

[@lmeaker9310]

Thankyou Gemma, I enjoyed your personal expressions. It was very calming. I was able to feel happy about my journey so far. I am mentally in a good space. Looking forward to viewing more CFS Videos.❤ Thankyou CFS Help.

[@TheSilentStan]

First time listening to these. I cried. I’m currently stuck in bed. I’m 36 and I’ve been really suffering from exhaustion and such, such a long list of symptoms from being 30. It’s stole six years of my life and only getting worse. This has given me hope that it might not be forever. Even if it feels like it 😢

[@CFSHealth]

Stay strong! Sending you love!

[@alexandrecouture2462]

You can do it!

[@Truerealism747]

Any pain symptoms gives great hope

[@patricias.5346]

So thankful I saw this interviews. I just joined the FB group. I believe this is where I need to start. I’m at the bottom and am really struggling. Want so badly to heal but I think I’ve been going about it all wrong. Looking negatively at what I am not able to do and being so depressed that I am not working or taking care of my family as I have for the last twenty years. I’m 53 so I have been panicking about how long tho is taking and I keep have setbacks and crashes. Been thinking this whole time that this is long COVID I’m dealing with and it is however, I believe things started years prior with my overachieving perfectionist “I can handle everything” mentality. I have lost myself completely.

[@ThePiecesOfAsh]

"The problem is not usually the problem" - so powerful. I'm in a flare up today and if I kept thinking it was the symptoms that were the problem I'd never get past it. I know it's my resistance to them that's causing me distress this morning - and now I can take action to drop that and move towards acceptance and feeling better. This story resonated with me so much, thank you Gemma for sharing xx

[@JacquiQ]

I grew up to feel it was 'weak" to be sick , to have ongoing illness, to feel depressed to have anxiety etc...that is much if the reason i pushed and pushed my body to breaking point after getting first signs of cfs. I felt I could not tell anyone what I was going through as that would be admitting I was "weak" .

[@ritamead6318]

You described my growing up... it was wrong to have a need that might make me a "problem" in the family.

[@annevaleriesaez6159]

Biggest takeaway : don't try to put a time-frame in recovery. Maybe it can happen in 3 months, maybe longer. But it doesn't matter. Also the way that our actions always start with a choice. So empowering. Great reminder.

[@margaretwhittaker2291]

Wonderful reminder, yes!!

[@sallyseabright1042]

Awsome as always …. I need this support but am looking for ways to afford it with no other support except from government which is not very much … trying to save … need proper help …. Am doing all free training and loving it God bless you all , Toby love you 😍many thanks , i feel i know you lol!! Sally x

[@JennyWhitehead-sv7jf]

Patience is the fastest route- every time you rush or race to be ahead you actually slow the entire process down! Ooooft! The facade of high functioning doesn’t necessarily reflect your truth Learning how to receive rest Gemma and Toby- wow, thanks! Incredible gold here.

[@treadlightly3359]

Well done Toby and Gemma for this brilliant interview. The mindset aspect of the recovery journey is crucial. I can vouch for Gemma as a mindset coach since I made the wise choice to join the program since I did not want to see more years disappear just struggling along. It's really lovely to see this interview. You both packed in so many insights in a short amount of time. If I had to pin down one take away, I would say Gemma's approach of bringing a curious mindset to wherever you are and to take it further and be curious about any resistance that arrises. The resistance is often where the nuggets of wisdom lie about ourselves. The beauty of utilising this method is how it just takes off all the pressure. Imagine standing in a rainstorm and just resenting the fact you are getting wet, instead with curiosity you could start to see it in a whole new way, like, I wonder how long it will take to get soaked to the skin, or imagine what it would feel like to be a field just soaking up the moisture! Just that shift to curiosity would make the whole experience become something else, rather than a misery loop of berating yourself for forgetting an umbrella, or stories of why it always has to happen to you when you are wearing your best clothes. etc.

[@CFSHealth]

Thank you for sharing!

[@margaretwhittaker2291]

Beautiful observations, thank you, I will make notes of your comment too! God bless

[@granialockley127]

Asking myself 'what do I need right now?' and 'how can I give myself that, even for a short period'. I think it's so easy, even when chronically fatigued, to get distracted from what we need or go along with the resistance to getting it!

[@sueleitch6396]

Fabulous !! What do I need right now and what does my resistance to that look like and why ; was a door into My soul ! Thank you. The insight gained is that I’m thinking too much about what will impact my loved ones instead of thinking of and protecting myself so I can be available for my loved ones when needed 💕 💜

[@mycreativeheart4159]

Wow! Gosh! Right from the get-go.... Gemma's experience is much like mine. Stuffing emotions because it appears weak. "If I had needs or emotions... I was inconvenient or too much." I thought I was the only one that felt like this. Just started watching... will add more later. Wow! Gemma's transformation is truly amazing. To bloom into this true authentic person of herself.. is incredible. To not even identify which that old version of herself. Iknow im not sure who i want to become.... i do know i dont identify with the beliefs of that old me anymore.

[@CFSHealth]

Thanks for sharing!

[@annevaleriesaez6159]

Thank you Toby for your program. It's been a huge help towards recovery. Gemma wow! Thank you for your insights. Mindset was definitely my biggest challenge for recovery. I'm a very practical person and I don't think back then that I would understand everything that you suggested. Always seemed very vague. Now I see. My mindset completely shifted. The introspection is necessary. Challenging, but it's one of the most important aspects of recovery. I also had an experience with working in real estate not being my path. I also had to give up my own independence and go live with my family. I do find joy in the small things too. Thanks for this great interview.

[@CFSHealth]

you're welcome Anne!❤

[@fliss_longcovidcoach]

Hey Gemma it was emotional for me to hear your journey so far, had a cry. Resonated hugely with mine. Lots and lots of gratitude and love to you ❤ Flick. Biggest takeaway, the joy of recovery and a new passionate life. Mindful courage👌

[@CFSHealth]

It’s pretty incredible isn’t it! ❤

[@margaretwhittaker2291]

I know I have already commented, and ALL your interviews with people who have recovered are very valuable but this one is the most valuable yet [ just in my own humble opinion and experience ]. I will listen to this one many times, Gemma is a GEM!!

[@kathyheath3984]

Thank you both for a great interview ❤️. One of the many things that resonated with me was what do I need. It always brings me to tears as I just would love some support and understanding that this is real. People and family only see u on the good days. They don't see the bed days and the mornings where you hav to drag yourself out of bed to eat and drink etc. Just to have someone to make a meal for you or just understand. It's very lonely when you don't really have anyne and scary for your future. Ive had CFS and Fibro etc for over 10 years

[@CFSHealth]

You're welcome Kathy!

[@Truerealism747]

Had CFS 26 yes but now it's more fybromyalgia than fatigue big bouts of fatigue though sure they both same thing

[@juliewillis2988]

Thank you ,AMAZING ❤

[@margaretwhittaker2291]

Absence of self recognition, whoah, that really resonated with me!! Gr8 interview, many many thanks. God bless

[@CFSHealth]

Many thanks and may God bless you too!

[@margaretwhittaker2291]

@@CFSHealth you are very welcome!

[@anastasiasim5113]

Gemma you are inspiration. Thank you for sharing your journey.

[@CFSHealth]

You're welcome Anastasia!

[@viviennebedford6280]

Great interview. Always great to ask, what do I need today and how can I give myself this. ❤

[@CFSHealth]

Glad you enjoyed it Viv!

[@alexandrecouture2462]

Thank you!

[@CFSHealth]

You're welcome Alexandre!

[@grahamkeil2253]

Some great nuggets…..thanks

[@CFSHealth]

You're welcome Graham!

[@patriciabaker5032]

Thank you. Question - So is it fair to say that the number 1 starting on recovering is changing ‘ MINDSET ‘ first ?

[@gvideos2]

What is the success rate of your program?

[@ccaselli7]

The word patience,in this case could be replaced with the word faith...

[@CFSHealth]

Thanks for sharing!

[@joannebate-shawcross4653]

❤xx

[@leighcaughey8822]

Toby this interview with Gemma was so timely for me! I've been thinking lately I'm not getting better quickly enough!! Will I EVER get 100% better!! How long is this going to take?? I've got things I want to do!! I know now that patience is the FAST track!! It makes so much sense that if you go too quickly you will be doing it the long way. I will now sit back and BE patient!! Thanks so much for that! You guys are amazing!!

[@Truerealism747]

The brain is in control protection are you suffering CFS or fybromyalgia or both