How do you plan your day and conserve energy? Are you a Spoonie?

@becsbuddy Even though I have progressed a lot from my early days on Mayo Connect, I still practice a modified version of the Spoon Theory - and at home, it is reinforced with every visit to my PT. But someone was asking in another discussion about dealing with fatigue, and I referred her here.

Then I remembered my "down South" PT scolding me on Monday. I am still rehabbing from rotator cuff surgery four months ago, and decided last week that I should push myself as the Energizer Bunny, athletic, 30-something DPT here encouraged. Monday, when I had a check-in appointment with his (far more sensible) PT, she had to spend 30 minutes working out the muscle strain I had caused by overdoing it. She scolded me, reduced the amount of reps for the next week, and gently reminded me recovery is for me, it's not a race. So today, after 2 days rest, I will resume, using her schedule. And maybe I won't need a nap when I finish!

Another Spoonie Theory that I have practiced and modified along the way it to figure out what my day and week hold before committing to activities. And putting in intentional rest days or half-days every week depending on how I am doing.

For example, I no longer run the kitchen for events in our community, which requires up to 3 days of work - instead I volunteer for specific smaller parts, like doing the posters or decorations or setting the tables.

And I try to ALWAYS quit a task (and make my husband do the same) before I am exhausted - so it might take 3 days to finish instead of just one. Between 4/5 pm we always stop for the day to relax - earlier if we have an evening activity, then we will rest a bit.

To account for true no energy days, or for busy ones, our fridge/freezer is filled with easy meals - like leftover chili or soup, makings for eggs and toast, frozen veggies, etc. Either one of us can pull something out and have it ready with minimal prep. There are even frozen meals for one that are pretty healthy and cost far less than Door Dash or fast food.

What Spoonie tricks do you use to conserve energy?

@sueinmn Well, I seem to go along with hour I feel. If a good day, I tend to do more. If a not good day, I’ll even stay in my pj’s and read. We also keep quick-to-make dinners in the freezer.
I’m also back in my sewing studio! I use my time there as relaxation and rejuvenation. If I get a little overworked or confused, I just close the door and say “there’s always tomorrow.”
One big fault I have is not always letting my husband help me. He’s very willing but I tell him that I need to do it myself. Crazy, I know, but he already does so much and I worry about him.
He’s very good at recognizing my need to go lie down and will even finish the chore that we were both doing.
It took me so long to get where I was in life that it’s hard to stop. But, I am listening to myself more each day. It’s really killing me that I can’t get out and demonstrate! I am getting better day by day. Thank you and Ginger for your care and thoughtfulness!

@sueinmn Well, I seem to go along with hour I feel. If a good day, I tend to do more. If a not good day, I’ll even stay in my pj’s and read. We also keep quick-to-make dinners in the freezer.
I’m also back in my sewing studio! I use my time there as relaxation and rejuvenation. If I get a little overworked or confused, I just close the door and say “there’s always tomorrow.”
One big fault I have is not always letting my husband help me. He’s very willing but I tell him that I need to do it myself. Crazy, I know, but he already does so much and I worry about him.
He’s very good at recognizing my need to go lie down and will even finish the chore that we were both doing.
It took me so long to get where I was in life that it’s hard to stop. But, I am listening to myself more each day. It’s really killing me that I can’t get out and demonstrate! I am getting better day by day. Thank you and Ginger for your care and thoughtfulness!

@becsbuddy I just responded to someone about the spoons and couldn’t remember who had written about it - after posting my answer (with another similar article, since I couldn’t remember who had written about it!) I just came across your thread in my newsfeed! I don’t know how to get back to the other person and/or direct that person - I think it was @jeff97 - to this thread!

@jeff97 @rashida was telling you about the spoon theory and asked me to relay this discussion to you. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-do-you-plan-your-day-and-conserve-energy-are-you-a-spoonie/
And I really like your comparison to money in the bank. It really makes sense!

@sueinmn Well, I seem to go along with hour I feel. If a good day, I tend to do more. If a not good day, I’ll even stay in my pj’s and read. We also keep quick-to-make dinners in the freezer.
I’m also back in my sewing studio! I use my time there as relaxation and rejuvenation. If I get a little overworked or confused, I just close the door and say “there’s always tomorrow.”
One big fault I have is not always letting my husband help me. He’s very willing but I tell him that I need to do it myself. Crazy, I know, but he already does so much and I worry about him.
He’s very good at recognizing my need to go lie down and will even finish the chore that we were both doing.
It took me so long to get where I was in life that it’s hard to stop. But, I am listening to myself more each day. It’s really killing me that I can’t get out and demonstrate! I am getting better day by day. Thank you and Ginger for your care and thoughtfulness!

i am also a sewer; i like the spooning idea. like you, i have limited energy. making coffee is hard. i do try to buy myself things to make my life easier. and showers are exhausting. laundry too!! i may have to find a quicker coffeemaker.
i chop things a lot so i bought a huge knife. online shopping is tough for finding good sizes. i also get some help.

@kforrest As a fellow sewer and crafter, one of the things that works for me to having my different crafts organized in totes or boxes. That way it is easy to pull things out to work on without spending a lot of time getting super organized to proceed. That getting set up can be a deal breaker and deplete my energy. For example, my go-to sewing machine, an older Kenmore portable, is set up on my table with a cover over her. All I need to do is pull that cover off and ready to go. The scissors/thread/pins/markers/rulers are in a plastic tote next to my work station so just put the lid on and done. I keep a supply of bobbins wound and ready.

Don't be afraid to make adjustments as needed, for daily chores. Opening bottles and cans is getting to be more awkward, so I have found some work arounds.
Ginger

@kforrest As a fellow sewer and crafter, one of the things that works for me to having my different crafts organized in totes or boxes. That way it is easy to pull things out to work on without spending a lot of time getting super organized to proceed. That getting set up can be a deal breaker and deplete my energy. For example, my go-to sewing machine, an older Kenmore portable, is set up on my table with a cover over her. All I need to do is pull that cover off and ready to go. The scissors/thread/pins/markers/rulers are in a plastic tote next to my work station so just put the lid on and done. I keep a supply of bobbins wound and ready.

Don't be afraid to make adjustments as needed, for daily chores. Opening bottles and cans is getting to be more awkward, so I have found some work arounds.
Ginger