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

Posted by Becky, Volunteer Mentor @becsbuddy, Feb 2, 2021

Are you like me, and run out of energy after doing only a few things? You shower and are then worn out and have to rest? Or maybe you walk the dog and it’s just too much! And you find yourself turning down invitation to lunch (pre-COVID-19) because of no energy. I do. I hate having to say no to friends, going home early, or taking shorter walks. I feel like I lost so much and myself!
Then I heard about The Spoon Theory, developed by Christine Miserandino. It’s a way of describing, planning, and conserving energy units that you use during the day. On her web page, Christine how she explained her illness (lupus, an autoimmune disease) and energy levels to a friend. You are able to explain to others the details of your life as someone with an invisible disease or chronic illness.
For example, I start my day with a list of things I need to do (shower, make the bed, do some laundry) and then I add my list of things I want to do
(go for a nice walk, sew, bake something). When I put the lists together, I realize that I won’t have enough spoons (units of energy) to get through the day. So, I’ve learned , using The Spoon Theory, to divide up the have to’s and the want to’s and add in some rest periods. I probably won’t get everything done—there’s always tomorrow—but I also won’t get exhausted, achey, and cranky half way through the day! The Spoon Theory has made so much sense to me!
Have you thought up a way to use and conserve your energy throughout the day? 

https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/https://www.brainsupportnetwork.org/explaining-fatigue-the-spoon-theory/

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

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rashida | @rashida | Mar 10 6:53am
In reply to @becsbuddy "@jeff97 @rashida was telling you about the spoon theory and asked me to relay this discussion..." + (show)
Profile picture for Becky, Volunteer Mentor @becsbuddy

@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!

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Thank you, @becsbuddy!

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GISUE | @slangston | Mar 13 9:16pm

Thank you for your post. I clicked on your link and got alot of junk with it (ads etc). Is there a direct link? Thank you!

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Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Aug 9 6:45pm
In reply to @slangston "Thank you for your post. I clicked on your link and got alot of junk with..." + (show)
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Thank you for your post. I clicked on your link and got alot of junk with it (ads etc). Is there a direct link? Thank you!

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@slangston oh, my! I never knew that you had posted and no one told me! You’re right, the link doesn’t go anywhere. I’m going to hunt up the article and post it again!
Thank you again for pointing this out to me! You are my hero/heroinne!

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mary4 | @mary4 | Aug 10 7:48am
In reply to @becsbuddy "@slangston oh, my! I never knew that you had posted and no one told me! You’re..." + (show)
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@slangston oh, my! I never knew that you had posted and no one told me! You’re right, the link doesn’t go anywhere. I’m going to hunt up the article and post it again!
Thank you again for pointing this out to me! You are my hero/heroinne!

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I am a Spoonie! Didn't have a name for it until now. Thank you.

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andid | @andid | Aug 10 8:06am
In reply to @becsbuddy "@slangston oh, my! I never knew that you had posted and no one told me! You’re..." + (show)
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@slangston oh, my! I never knew that you had posted and no one told me! You’re right, the link doesn’t go anywhere. I’m going to hunt up the article and post it again!
Thank you again for pointing this out to me! You are my hero/heroinne!

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Definitely conserve my spoons. Also allow time for naps when I can.

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kathren | @kathren | Aug 17 2:04pm

So delighted to read the daily "scientific experiment" of our autoimmune life journey.
Then the "Spoon Theory."

I am an HSP- High Sensitive Person- it's not a mental illness. It's a sensory processing sensitivity. Helped me to be a compassionate, creative, energetic teacher who also needed to crash after overstimulation. Check out Julie Bjelland or the work of Elaine Aron. I share that because it did alert me to exercise self-care- REST which was difficult to learn. So here I am in retirement with enforced needing to rest to mardhall my energy.

It is empowering to read the comments and support online on this website.
We are cheerleaders for each other. After 18 months with severe PMR, finally alleviated with MTX and down to 2 mg of Prednisone, I developed Giant Cell Arteritis. Yikes.
Tomorrow I will schedule my first Actemra infusion. The infusion nurse has rheumatoid arthritis, describing his fatigue. He commented I will probably experience that again with the infusions.
However, I am on a 50 mg steroid high with hyperactivity, strength, energy (until I crash)... I never felt that when I started on 20 mg for a week for PMR It's crazy (and at 84 years).

I believe in prayer, thankful that somehow I found this MayoClinic Connect and community. Wonder why when I asked my doctor "peep"s they didn't know of an online community...Thanking all of you for your questions and insights and hugging you close as we develop a new and deeper quality of life. Peace.

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dkelban | @dkelban | Aug 18 7:31am

I don't know what a spoonie is. I'm a lay-in-bedie, with playing guitar when I'm feeling better enough and motivated. Not what I planned for in retirement. I call it"sick and tired of being sick and tired."

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covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Aug 19 7:48am

dkelban, Look all the way to the top of this post under Becky, who is a wonderful volunteer mentor. She
posted the link about spoon theory. A "Spoonie" is someone that battles a sickness with extreme fatigue and
the link explains how many spoons you have for a certain day to exert yourself. It is an excellent way to
explain yourself to someone.....I used it a few weeks ago.

God Bless you and praying for you. Blessings.....

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kathren | @kathren | Aug 20 11:50am

Yes, I also am holding you close.
We need each others' embraces for strength and courage.

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michgirv | @michgirv | Aug 20 11:52am
In reply to @becsbuddy "@slangston oh, my! I never knew that you had posted and no one told me! You’re..." + (show)
Profile picture for Becky, Volunteer Mentor @becsbuddy

@slangston oh, my! I never knew that you had posted and no one told me! You’re right, the link doesn’t go anywhere. I’m going to hunt up the article and post it again!
Thank you again for pointing this out to me! You are my hero/heroinne!

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Thank you! I’m going on the article hunt shortly! Today I spent my spoons on a shower (hairy legs remain) and lunch date with my husband. Now for a nap. Spoons gone!

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