What People With Chronic Illness Mean When They Say 'I'm Tired'

The Mighty community with chronic illness shares what they mean when they say “I’m tired.”

Read the full version of 17 Things People With Chronic Illness Mean When They Say ‘I’m Tired’.

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What People With Chronic Illness Mean When They Say ‘I’m Tired’

“Most people who are healthy don’t understand that ‘I’m tired’ is a very shortened phrase for us.”

“I don’t want to stop helping you, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to crumble if I do one more thing.”

“Just sitting in a chair is exhausting.”

“When I say ‘I’m tired’ it means I don’t want to talk about it right now.”

“Most of the time it actually means, ‘I know you mean well, but please give me some space. I’d like to be alone.’

“I’m mentally exhausted from having to keep it together on the surface at work, when what I really want to do is scream out loud with the pain.

“It’s usually my go-to response for pain, exhaustion, anxiety, everything.

“When I say I’m tired I mean I can’t keep smiling and acting as if nothing was happening.

“When I say I am tired, it means wherever I am could make a good place to lay down and hopefully sleep.

“I’m out of spoons. Of juice. Of battery.