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  • Do you feel guilty when you rest?
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Do you feel guilty when you rest?

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avatar Somya.P

Somya.P

Community manager
27/08/2025 at 18:51

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avatar Somya.P

Somya.P

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Last activity on 03/10/2025 at 11:43

Joined in 2023


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Hey everyone, how are you feeling today?

Living with a chronic illness often means navigating fatigue, flare-ups, and invisible symptoms, but when we do pause to rest or slow down, it’s not always as simple as just “taking a break.”

There’s often a deeper emotional weight behind it. Guilt.

Guilt for not doing more. For cancelling plans. For lying down when others are up and active. For not looking sick enough to “justify” the rest.

🔁 This is sometimes called rest guilt, that nagging voice that says “you should be doing something,” even when you’re at your limit.

But why does this happen?

💭 For many of us, it’s rooted in how we were raised, the pressure to be productive, or cultural beliefs that equate rest with laziness.

📱 And on top of that, social media can make rest feel like falling behind in a world that’s always hustling.

🌱 But here’s the truth: Rest isn’t lazy. It’s a vital part of living well with chronic illness. It helps your body recover and protects your mental health. And it’s a way of respecting your limits.

🗨️ Let’s unpack this together:

  • Do you ever feel guilty for resting, even when you know you need it?
  • Where do you think that guilt comes from?
  • What has helped you unlearn it, or what are you still figuring out?

@ChrisK @flo1960 @victoria84 @smithymo10 @AnnieD @Scoomoo @illinformed @sadsack @chelle1503 @Feerich46 @Scotty2 @KeriVine @ianh72 @Silverlady @vizzie @Roo1978 @bettyboop2103 @royboy33 @Milfieldcat @ann59s @Groovygranny2 @Kevinfarrell @TabbyCat @daffers @marymcg @Bluebell5310 @Aayawa @cat123tiger @anto65 @jamesm @Charlie74 @TerryCo @Crankybear @lizdivers @June1931 @Tigger.co.uk @jaynec @Bigjohn34 @rosina @23again @Paddie23 @Dawnmc @Sarahhm69 @guest @Groovygranny58 @emh2113 @RaziaH @Haworthian @Tomc66 @graingers @davelack @Lin1954 @shokhii @Paulyboy1983 @AnneRA @Moodycow @Cirvannah @aggy2017 @VICKICOFFEY @Mark10 @Addersa @Gina40 @chrissie2018 @llanarth @Borris @kilveboy @Staybright @KateParkin @Putty42 @cancer59 @Emmamarie @MaggieScott @FIREMOTHER66 @Avbye1 @lissimore65 @Dangermouse @johnpoddy @maple24 @Simone40 @nigelhopkins @Becķy-3 @garethr2 @Linda21 @Elegance12 @MaggsCormack @Jaynewadlow @Rosetta @AmoB26 @BeatriceHann @Natalie13 @wendylee @Colincraig72 @YorkshireJayne @Rita14 @SunshineW @SusieDavies23 @MichelleThomson @PaulAmbrose @carolineemmerson @shirleyglvins

Your experiences matter, and someone else here might be feeling the exact same way today. You are not alone. 💙

Take care,
Somya from the Carenity team 🌼

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All comments

avatar chelle1503

chelle1503

27/08/2025 at 19:21

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avatar chelle1503

chelle1503

Last activity on 02/10/2025 at 14:25

Joined in 2015


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THIS IS DEFINITELY ME I FEEL VERY GUILTY WHEN RESTING! EVEN IF I AM WATCHING A FILM WITH MY FAMILY IN THE BACK OF MY MIND I'M THINKING OF WHAT I COULD BE DOING! MY DAUGHTERS ALWAYS SAY I DONT KNOW HOW TO RELAX!!

I WISH I KNEW WHERE THE GUILT COME FROM AS IT WOULD BE THAT STEP CLOSER TO RELAXING WITHOUT THE GUILT! IF ANYONE HAS ANY IDEAS I'M OPEN TO THEM LOL


Do you feel guilty when you rest? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/do-you-feel-guilty-when-you-rest-5791 2025-08-27 19:21:31

avatar Dangermouse

Dangermouse

27/08/2025 at 19:26

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avatar Dangermouse

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Last activity on 18/09/2025 at 20:33

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I have to rota in time for rest i work with 2yr olds so i tend to do and 8 week cycle i only work 6 hrs a day 4 day week but i think its very important to rest.

I have had long covid ontop of diabeties but in order to keep working its important to do rest time and not feel guilty.


Do you feel guilty when you rest? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/do-you-feel-guilty-when-you-rest-5791 2025-08-27 19:26:20

avatar VICKICOFFEY

VICKICOFFEY

27/08/2025 at 21:10

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avatar VICKICOFFEY

VICKICOFFEY

Last activity on 15/09/2025 at 16:19

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I refuse to feel guilty. I can only do what I can only do. Tomorrow is another day, and everything that was here today, will still be here tomorrow. Its not worth getting down on ourselves for doing us!


Do you feel guilty when you rest? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/do-you-feel-guilty-when-you-rest-5791 2025-08-27 21:10:31

avatar YorkshireJayne

YorkshireJayne

28/08/2025 at 08:08

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avatar YorkshireJayne

YorkshireJayne

Last activity on 01/10/2025 at 06:55

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Nope, not one jot do I feel guilty! My life, my choice, if I don't want to do anything for a whole day or a whole hour, I don't, simple! If anyone else thinks I'm lazy, that is their problem and not mine; I wish they could feel the pain I am in 24/7 along with the sheer exhaustion that autoimmune disease and blood cancer causes!

If I get up and decide to do everything I have been putting off for weeks, I am in a worse state when I fall into bed at 6pm (to watch TV in bed not sleep!) than I am normally, then I have to have my Oramorph to help ease the pain or at least get a grip on it. I don't like doing that, my body already has 10 different meds in it to try and alleviate pain and other health issues!

All-in-all, I live my life for me, no-one else and if they think I'm a lazy b***h for sitting doing nothing (even when I'm sitting, I'm usually knitting anyway!) then that is their prerogative.

See the signature

Life is for living, do it, no matter what!


Do you feel guilty when you rest? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/do-you-feel-guilty-when-you-rest-5791 2025-08-28 08:08:58

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