Why Physical Pain and Mental Exhaustion Are Really on the Same Team
By LaTrecia Doyle-Thaxton | Reiki Ra-Ess
There was a question floating through one of my fibromyalgia groups that stopped me in my tracks.
“Which is harder to manage: the physical pain or the mental exhaustion?”
The answers came quickly.
“Both.”
“Depends on the day.”
“Mental exhaustion.”
“Physical pain.”
“Pain causes the exhaustion.”
As I read through the comments, I noticed something fascinating.
Almost no one could truly separate the two.
Because with fibromyalgia…they rarely travel alone.
The Invisible Tug-of-War
People often think fibromyalgia is simply chronic pain.
Those of us living with it know better.
Pain steals sleep.
Poor sleep amplifies pain.
Pain creates brain fog.
Brain fog creates frustration.
Frustration becomes emotional exhaustion.
Emotional exhaustion makes everyday tasks feel impossible.
Around and around it goes.
It’s less like fighting one battle and more like trying to stop dominoes after the first one has already fallen.
My Answer Surprised Me
Without thinking much about it, I answered:
“Definitely the pain.”
Later, I realized something.
Years ago, I probably would have answered mental exhaustion.
Not because the pain was easier…
…but because I hadn’t yet learned how to give my thoughts somewhere to live besides inside my own head.
Journaling Didn’t Cure My Fibromyalgia
Let’s be clear.
Journaling has never taken away my pain.
Reiki hasn’t magically erased fibromyalgia.
Blogging hasn’t cured chronic illness.
If only healing came with a one-click update. Humans would probably forget the password anyway. 😏
What these practices have done is help me carry the weight differently.
When anxiety begins spiraling…
I write.
When dreams wake me before sunrise…
I journal.
When life feels too heavy to explain…
I create.
The pain may still be there.
But my mind no longer has to carry it alone.
My Inner-G Shift
One of the foundations of my work is something I call Positive Inner-G.
Not toxic positivity.
Not pretending everything is okay.
Positive Inner-G means asking a different question.
Instead of:
“Why is this happening to me?”
I ask:
“What can this experience teach me?”
Some days the answer is patience.
Some days it’s rest.
Some days it’s asking for help.
Some days it’s simply surviving until tomorrow.
Every answer counts.
Healing Is a System
Over time, I realized healing wasn’t one giant breakthrough.
It became a collection of small practices.
☥ Morning Reiki Principles
📓 Dream journaling
🌙 Following the moon’s rhythm
🧿 Chakra reflections
✍🏽 Blogging
🌿 Gardening
💜 Rest without guilt
Each one became another thread in the safety net.
One practice by itself might not seem life-changing.
Together?
They’ve helped me become someone who lives with fibromyalgia instead of constantly feeling defeated by it.
So Which Is Harder?
If you ask me today…
Physical pain.
Because I’ve spent years building tools for my mind.
The pain still visits.
Some days it overstays its welcome.
But journaling, blogging, Reiki, and reflection have helped quiet the mental storm that used to follow it everywhere.
That doesn’t mean everyone’s answer should be mine.
It simply means healing is deeply personal.
And perhaps the better question isn’t:
“Which is harder?”
Maybe it’s:
“What has helped you carry both?”
The answers to that question might become someone else’s first step toward hope.
✨ Gentle Reflection
Journal Prompt
What practice has helped you carry your pain, even if it hasn’t taken it away?
🌿 Free Resource
If you’re learning to navigate chronic illness with more gentleness, I’ve created a free guide:
What Healing Looks Like: 21 Gentle Ways to Support Your Nervous System
Inside you’ll discover simple, compassionate practices that have helped me create moments of peace, even on difficult days.
(Insert your freebie link here.)
📖 Continue the Journey
If this story resonated with you, you may also enjoy my book:
Fibromyalgia Is Trying to Take Over My Life… But It Will Never Take My Coffee
Because healing isn’t about pretending we’re okay.
It’s about learning to bloom, one gentle day at a time.
By ReikiRaEss | SomethingNuBian.com ☥🦋✨
Something Nubian 
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