Exploring the Spoon Theory: A New Way to Explain Chronic Illness

I had never heard of spoon theory, but I get it now.

Yes! Excellent way of describing it, House_Mouse

I also had to describe it to my family in terms of money. I told them that every choice I make has a cost associated with it. That cost is what I pay in pain. I have to pick and choose based on what I feel is worth the cost. It’s like saving up for something( by reserving energy) you’re willing to splurge on. If I choose an activity with a high cost, such as shopping, I know I will pay for it, but sometimes it’s necessary.

@Mariposita Thanks so much for the explanation and the link. I will take a look at that.

@Noemi the concept is that you only get so many spoons (ie energy) per day. Each activity in a day takes up one (or more) of your spoons. When you run out of spoons in a day, you are basically worn out and can’t function anymore. You can “borrow” spoons from another day, which basically means you reserve your energy for a big activity, like going to an amusement park or any other high energy activity. The problem is, if you borrow spoons, you may end up having to take downtime for days afterwards.

@scarlet9904 yes, my boyfriend didn’t understand the concept with spoons, but I think he understood it when I changed it from spoons to money. I think he grasped it like diminishing returns.

I have heard of this, but really don't know much about it.

Yup and even taught it to my partner so he'd better understand energy and how I have to use it and stuff so he will ask before seeing me if I have the spoons for it an such