Spoons with Chronic Illness

Have you ever heard of The Spoon Theory?

Do you know what it means?

Early on after being diagnosed with my first chronic illness endometriosis, I came across "The Spoon Theory". So many of us who suffer with chronic illness use 'spoons' to talk about how much energy it will take us to do a certain activity like take a shower, fold laundry, go to the grocery store, go to doctor appointments, and so much more. We have to plan what activities we do when because if we do too much in one day, we will be exhausted and pay for it the next day. This is something a healthy person doesn't have to think about often. 

"The Spoon Theory" is an article written by Christine Miserandino that describes her story with chronic illness and an analogy she began using to try to convey her energy level and how she felt to others. You can find the Spoon Theory here: https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/ 

In the article, she gives her friend 12 spoons and immediately her healthy friend wants more spoons. Don't we all! Christine started taking away one spoon for each activity she described starting with getting out of her bed first thing in the morning. When it was time to go to work, her friend had half of her spoons left and honestly, should have probably had less because some activities require more than one spoon or energy. I know sometimes when I take a shower, I feel like I've used three spoons!

Anyway, by the time Christine's friend arrived at work, she started having to make decisions about what she was going to do while at work, for dinner, and the rest of the evening; decisions she had probably never thought twice about making before. After this, Christine knew her friend understood more because her demeanor changed. I encourage everyone, whether you have a chronic illness or know someone with one to read "The Spoon Theory" as it will help everyone understand what chronic illness sufferers go through every day. When I first came across "The Spoon Theory", I had my family read it to try to help them understand how I felt when I was tired/exhausted and why I plan as much of my day as possible. It put how I was and continue to feel in much better words than I could.
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I hope you find this information helpful.

Take care,
​💛Samantha 

(picture from patientsrising.org)