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

https://www.verywellmind.com/how-spoon-theory-can-make-sense-of-chronic-illness-8697704 I found this today and it explains the theory and gives credit for developing it to Christine Miserandino. Hope it helps others. Use your spoons wisely!

I'm an ardent "Spoonie", although I haven't used that moniker. I read The Spoon Theory, by Christine Miserandino, and caught the concept! I had designed & had been using my own Excel doc calendar, obviously with columns for days, and lines for hours; BUT I added a small column with my total spoons at the top and the sum of spoons used (or overused) at the bottom. For each appointment or chore I assigned a number I anticipated or considered that to be, etc. etc. OH MAN !! That changed my life! I could wisely accept an invitation or decline - or choose to eliminate something to replace the time.
Then along came Google calendar - Calendar Nirvana! I began filling in all the "routine" daily activities, Must-Dooz, Wanna Dooz, Social Appts, Medical Appts., etc. etc. What fun - all those colors. and automatic renewal and repeats.
But it made the process of monitoring myself less like discipline of taking my meds., and more like creative fun....

@milz Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I see this is your first post, and it is full of interesting ideas. Frankly, creating and keeping a list/calendar like that would use up a lot of my spoons! LOL But it surely is working for you, and others might be inspired to do the same.

Over the course of time, I have learned to be gentler on myself, and not push so much. Yes, there are things to do, tasks to accomplish, appointments to keep. The ones that require participation do get done [sometimes it is "eventually"!] It's hard to not over-commit. Those who are close to me understand that I may want to do something, but may not be able to on a given day if my sleep was less-than-adequate, or meds are exhibiting some side effects, etc. And yes, sometimes I push myself only to pay for it later!
Ginger

Ginger, Thank you for your Welcome and I'm NOW so where you intimated. I originally already had the Excel calendar which replaced my leather Day Timer and it helped me take a look at my life.
Now, with Google I can take a look at the new "opportunity" against the grid of my schedule. Some of the things I WANT to do that are really beneficial are the ones I set aside first, then find myself over-spent. So that's been part of my learning curve as opposed to a written in stone edict. I, too, have learned to be gentle on myself. I don't use the word 'gentler', as did you - because I was, sadly, never gentle on myself.
After awhile I "clicked out" all but Medical and Business Appointments, etc. and I don't actually "count spoons" anymore. I've learned what I can and cannot do. (At least most of the time).
Over the years, life changes including job changes, retirement, church commitments, etc. re-order my routine and that's when I "click-on" all my pretty colored boxes to decide what has to be changed. The good thing about all that is that it's been helping me to actually pay attention, since one of my default characteristics is Denial (followed by Crash LOL).
It's so good to have access to a fellowship of people who have similar experiences and to learn from others' experiences. Back in the day, we were just scoffed at. Even now, my new physician seems to dismiss me. UGH. I've learned from people who've been there, done that, I can speak up for myself and ask for what I need. So thanks for welcoming me.

When doing something you enjoy set a timer. It’s easy to lose track of time and how your body is feeling when doing something you enjoy.