Spoon theory
“The Spoon Theory”, a personal story by Christine Miserandino, is popular among many people dealing with chronic illness. It describes perfectly this idea of limited energy, using “spoons” as a unit of energy.
Can you relate with spoon theory? What do you think about it?
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I relate to the Spoon Theory very well. I have a condition called Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome aka POTS. Covid long haulers are starting to be diagnosed with this more but I've had it long before Covid. Basically my autoimmune system is whacked up and doesn't work right. Often times I will pass out. Sometimes it is due to not regulating my body temperature. When I first start feeling warm I really am in danger of heat stroke, I just can't physically detect it.
This condition causes me to use my spoons very wisely. I really like the diagram below. Often I only have 13-14 spoons a day and 5 of those are used just to get out of bed and go to work. 4 more to get dressed, take medicine, and bathe. That usually leaves me with 4-5 spoons. To some they may have more of less spoons, or they may even think this theory is crazy but it affects many people in this world. Somedays I have 9 spoons, other days it is 15 spoons. I don't think people always realize the effort that is put in to do the simplest of tasks. When I struggle to get a shower without passing out due to the temperature I will cry sometimes because I am so sad that my body won't work with me.
@gentleSun78, I just wanted to thank you for coming up with this post. When I saw that it was about The Spoon Theory it made me smile! 
It is nice to know that others out there are probably going through the same exact thing as I am. Maybe not POTS but going through the idea that we only have so much energy in a day. 
Very very relatable
I will say some of these things might have different values for different people. Like driving somewhere isn’t too much energy for me, neither is shopping, but hair styling beyond the rudimentary? 4 spoons. 5 spoons even. Housework if it’s light might be 3 spoons, but it’s a good 6-7 spoons if deeper cleaning is needed, the cat needs a bath, something needs to get repaired, small child care, or like it’s bedsheets day for the laundry, including the comforters that take longer to dry. Baking a cake for someone’s birthday is gonna take more spoons than cooking a general dinner. That’s not to say I won’t / can’t do these things, but if I do the big spoon things, I might not have energy for other “minor” things in the same day, like making the bedsheets put where they’re supposed to after waking up, or remembering to scoop the litter box today as an every day thing, etc.
@wonderfulRainbow817 I emphatize with you very much. I see how hard it must be for you to cope with everyday tasks. Have you got anyone to help you with tasks? If getting to work takes 5 spoons, how much of them do you use for work?
A lot of my other spoons lol. Work alone exhausts me for the whole day
@wonderfulRainbow817 Oh, i feel you very much. How much hours per day do you work? Have you got possibility to apply for benefits for disabled?
I can relate to spoon theory too. I have got a disability and i use electric wheelchair. I have got limited energy and i have to use it very wisely. I have got a caregiver who help me by many everyday tasks in order that i don't overexert myself as my doctor told me that i must not overexert self and that i have to have plenty of rest too. My caregiver helps me with activities where muscle strength is needed, such as cleaning and bringing groceries home, taking things from high shelves, etc.
I wish also to tell you that the diagram above is also a bit relative. Something can be very exhausting for someone, but not so exhausting for another person. I don't find going to doctor very exhausting as i needn't to use my muscles going there (i use my electric wheelchair and transport), but transferring from bed to wheelchair or cleaning can be very exhausting.
@gentleSun78
I can relate to the spoon theory. That was a neat way to get things across to somone who does not deal with things, understand how things are, and how important things are--which they take for granted.
@gentleSun78
I absolutely love Spoon Theory! I actually have a sweatshirt that says "out of spoons" for my rest days. It's a great way to explain it to others.
@turquoiseHemlock900 I like this idea!
That sounds like a shirt that fits me! :)
Newbie here. Still looking at forums I haven’t read yet and glad I came across this one. I really hope I can use this. I wish I could print it Dior size so everyone can see just how much energy getting out of bed and getting dressed and eating can be. I’m proud I’m on week 3 of therapy and Hopeful about the future 💕💕☺️ Thanks again for sharing
