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.

ess77 - Elizabeth | @ess77 | Sep 4, 2021

In reply to @pianopain12 "Weird cravings sometime. And sometimes, you just have to give in. (Heading to grocery store really..." + (show)

@pianopain12 and all...............Oh, my, a woman after my own heart! the Mayo choc pudding is delicious, mixed with a bit of whipped cream and of course a little bit of oreo cookies. Worth evert single calorie, absolutely delicious and satisfying. I get whatever they have, usually a couple, They are my major joy these day, that and the yogurt and fresh fruit parfaits with granola. It's delicious. And, healthy! I guess I've been out on that campus so much that I use them as a major part of my provisions.
Enjoy! Every bite is a pleasure you simply enjoy! Blessings, elizabeth

Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Sep 5, 2021

In reply to @ess77 "@pianopain12 , @becsbuddy , @rwinney , @dancing1, @gingerw, and all... I need your great spoon concept!..." + (show)

Learning to reframe, resist defeatist all-or-nothing thinking, and celebrate small accomplishments, makes us feel better and avoids the giving up mentality. Good for you Elizabeth, keep spooning!

Best of luck with your surgery this week, and enjoy your small wins.

ess77 - Elizabeth | @ess77 | Sep 5, 2021

In reply to @rwinney "Learning to reframe, resist defeatist all-or-nothing thinking, and celebrate small accomplishments, makes us feel better and..." + (show)

@rwinney and all...
Thanks, Rachel.
It's taken me many years to get this far...not where I will be tomorrow, but where I am now. I'm thankful for all that Mayo Clinic and the entire professional and caring staff have given me in the last several years. And so very thankful for Mayo Connect, the many special friends ❤💕💖💗 I have now who listen, share, give, love, support and always understand where I am and what I need.

God has blessed me so much. I am a better woman today for these gifts. I will continue to use my spoons wisely, carefully, joyously.

I thank you for you and your support. I will be in good shape coming out of that surgery. Such a small Surgery!
So big to me! Covered with love from many friends.Covered with God's love.
Blessings, my new friend.
Elizabeth

pianopain12 | @pianopain12 | Sep 5, 2021

In reply to @rwinney "Learning to reframe, resist defeatist all-or-nothing thinking, and celebrate small accomplishments, makes us feel better and..." + (show)

Yes, Elizabeth, keep spooning!. You set a beautiful example for all of us in how to manage the big"BLOB OF THE DAY..." which is enormous when viewed as a single task.It gives one a defeated feeling almost immediately! The spoons are spoons of reason and good common sense. Much needed.

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Sep 6, 2021

These days I have some with a lot of energy get-up-and-go, a few with oh-just-relax-on-the-couch with a book and the cat. It doesn't seem to help conserving energy for a known outing, like a dr appt. So, I have learned to be more flexible with my time issues, gentler on myself, and that has been really hard! I leave with plenty of time to spare, in case I need to rest a bit before an errand or appt. I may start the day with a list of what I want to accomplish, and get done the priorities. I am hopefully more relaxed now, less beating myself up for not getting a whole list done. Being a spoonie, which I learned about long time ago, has been very insightful.
Ginger

pianopain12 | @pianopain12 | Sep 8, 2021

In reply to @gingerw "These days I have some with a lot of energy get-up-and-go, a few with oh-just-relax-on-the-couch with..." + (show)

Relaxing on the couch with a book and a cat....That sounds divine! I'm convinced that Kitty Cats make the whole world smile.

thumperguy | @thumperguy | Sep 8, 2021

In reply to @pianopain12 "Relaxing on the couch with a book and a cat....That sounds divine! I'm convinced that Kitty..." + (show)

They do indeed have a charm of their own don’t they! Don

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Sep 9, 2021

In reply to @ess77 "@rwinney and all... Thanks, Rachel. It's taken me many years to get this far...not where I..." + (show)

Hi Elizabeth, Thinking of you as your surgery is drawing near. I hope you feel the power of all your friends here wishing only the best for you! Sending you a couple of my extra spoons so you can have double helpings of the pudding as a reward for a successful surgery. Big hug and lots of love flowing through the air your way! 😘

bunzman | @bunzman | Jan 12, 2022

In reply to @becsbuddy "@nana75165 I’m glad you found this discussion! I felt just like you 4years ago. So many..." + (show)

Curious. Did a doctor actually tell you that it was all in your head", or did they imply it by speaking about "anxiety", "stress", etc.? My experience and what I read leads me to believe having a PCP ith a commitment to "figuring things out" is important; otherwise if testing yields no clear diagnosis/pathway one is literally left to start over.. My PCP retired and with searching for a replacement make known what my major concerns are. The 1st two I met did not respond to my major concerns; but seem to follow a "new patient" process focused on meds, transferring records, etc. I don't expect any one to have much insight into long-covid/ post vaccine complications, but recognize in terms of concern and quality of life, these challenges are foremost to a patient. I hope that collectively more docs see the need to pursue where to direct patients if they are not inclined to take the journey with them. In the meantime, I schedule my own specialist appts...

Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Jan 13, 2022

In reply to @bunzman "Curious. Did a doctor actually tell you that it was all in your head", or did..." + (show)

@bunzman Yes, a doctor did say it was all in my head. He also said, “don’t worry, Trump wont be president forever. You can just relax.” I wouldn’t see him again!