If you are unfamiliar with the spoon theory, please do not stress over it. If I had to guess, I would wager most people are unfamiliar with it as opposed to acquainted with it, and understandably so; the theory is often referenced and used by individuals who are chronically ill, so if you’re fortunate enough not to be, you likely do not know what the spoon theory is.
The spoon theory is a sort of energy measurement system people with chronic illnesses use in an attempt to allot the necessary time and energy toward specific tasks without overdoing it and burning themselves out. The theory is different for everyone in terms of how many spoons you begin your day with, but the methodology is the same.
As an example, say you have a chronic illness and you start your day off with 20 spoons. As you go throughout your day, tasks requiring energy and effort will use up spoons. So, let’s say you have to clean your kitchen; that might use about five spoons. Perhaps you also need to run some errands; that might use three spoons. If you exercise or engage in a workout of some sort, that might use up eight spoons. Cooking dinner might use two, and so by the end of your day you’re left with 18. This is a good thing; if you have a couple of spoons left at the end of the day, that means you haven’t overdone it and likely won’t burn out as a result.
I try using the spoon theory, but not necessarily the exact practice. Rather, if I have a busy day and a few big tasks I need to get done, I’ll try to plan my days in accordance with my limited energy to avoid provoking a Lyme flareup by doing too much.
Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash
ontheedgeofeverything 