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.

@becsbuddy

@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!

Jump to this post

IMO, then you should report them to that clinic or health facility. Remember he works for them and that is poor healthcare/treatment of a patient. Don't let them off the hook by simply going elsewhere - let them know why...

REPLY

I have a strategy that might also work for others. There are nine chores I need to accomplish every week. I assign each one to a particular day and focus on only that one activity, putting the others out of my mind. To get all nine done, I double-up on two of the days. Here’s my weekly plan: SUNDAY — cook for the upcoming week and take out the garbage. MONDAY — clean house. TUESDAY — plan menu for the next week (so I’ll have on hand what I’ll need when I cook on Sunday). WEDNESDAY — pay bills and grocery shopping. THURSDAY — laundry. FRIDAY — ironing and mending. SATURDAY — yard and garden. I accomplish what I can on each day, but confine my “chores” to morning hours. By noon, I’m done and lie down to watch the news and weather report. My afternoons are free to do whatever I want and according to my energy level. Getting my daily chore done helps me get to sleep at night too !

REPLY
@strongevergreen

I have a strategy that might also work for others. There are nine chores I need to accomplish every week. I assign each one to a particular day and focus on only that one activity, putting the others out of my mind. To get all nine done, I double-up on two of the days. Here’s my weekly plan: SUNDAY — cook for the upcoming week and take out the garbage. MONDAY — clean house. TUESDAY — plan menu for the next week (so I’ll have on hand what I’ll need when I cook on Sunday). WEDNESDAY — pay bills and grocery shopping. THURSDAY — laundry. FRIDAY — ironing and mending. SATURDAY — yard and garden. I accomplish what I can on each day, but confine my “chores” to morning hours. By noon, I’m done and lie down to watch the news and weather report. My afternoons are free to do whatever I want and according to my energy level. Getting my daily chore done helps me get to sleep at night too !

Jump to this post

@strongevergreen you’ve certainly worked it out! Some of those chores are pretty big, like cooking for the week and house cleaning. Wow, i really salute you! I’m so glad you posted your solutions for everyone to read. Thank you
How long have you used your “solution”?

REPLY
@becsbuddy

@strongevergreen you’ve certainly worked it out! Some of those chores are pretty big, like cooking for the week and house cleaning. Wow, i really salute you! I’m so glad you posted your solutions for everyone to read. Thank you
How long have you used your “solution”?

Jump to this post

It’s been years since I started that system. Cooking for the week is a fun activity for me because I love to cook. It’s pretty easy to make pasta and freeze 2-3 servings. I supplement with bagged salad. It’s easy to make steamed peas & brown rice and freeze 2 servings. I supplement with cashews when I sit down to eat. It’s easy to make tuna salad or egg salad and divide in several servings. I supplement those with a tomato or vegetable soup. House cleaning is pretty easy too since I don’t have carpet. I just “Swiffer” my hardwood floors and dust. I put stuff away before going to bed at night so I don’t have a big “pick-up” job to do on cleaning day.

REPLY
@becsbuddy

@strongevergreen you’ve certainly worked it out! Some of those chores are pretty big, like cooking for the week and house cleaning. Wow, i really salute you! I’m so glad you posted your solutions for everyone to read. Thank you
How long have you used your “solution”?

Jump to this post

Generally, I eat fresh fruit or a single-serve applesauce cup or pineapple cup for dessert. None of those require cooking. I cut celery sticks and store in glasses half-filled with water and I store a bag of mini carrots in a covered glass pyrex dish. Sometimes I wash and cut radishes or a cucumber into slices. All of those go into the fridge. I have cereal or an English muffin for breakfast most mornings — no cooking involved (unless you count toasting). I really love Amy’s products including bowls, veggie pot-pies, burritos, pizzas, chili, and soups.... all of which are prepared in the microwave. Morningstar Farms makes great veggie burgers and “chikn” patties, which are also microwaveable. I pretty much avoid dairy products aside from occasional Sargento string cheese and Daisy cottage cheese. I order special items from my favorite Italian “source” — Eataly — with products actually MADE in Italy. To honor my family, some of whom still live there, I gave Eataly’s Panettone to my friends and neighbors for Christmas. Sooooo, my diet is varied and healthy. I am able to share some of my favorites.... or at least share information about some of my favorites. And now, YOU know too !

REPLY
@strongevergreen

It’s been years since I started that system. Cooking for the week is a fun activity for me because I love to cook. It’s pretty easy to make pasta and freeze 2-3 servings. I supplement with bagged salad. It’s easy to make steamed peas & brown rice and freeze 2 servings. I supplement with cashews when I sit down to eat. It’s easy to make tuna salad or egg salad and divide in several servings. I supplement those with a tomato or vegetable soup. House cleaning is pretty easy too since I don’t have carpet. I just “Swiffer” my hardwood floors and dust. I put stuff away before going to bed at night so I don’t have a big “pick-up” job to do on cleaning day.

Jump to this post

@strongevergreen I'm with you, combining meals to make-once-eat-twice, when possible. And keeping things picked up means less to do each time. Any little thing we can do to keep our energy levels up!
Ginger

REPLY
@gingerw

@strongevergreen I'm with you, combining meals to make-once-eat-twice, when possible. And keeping things picked up means less to do each time. Any little thing we can do to keep our energy levels up!
Ginger

Jump to this post

YES YES YES !!!

REPLY
@erikas

@pinchas Welcome back to Mayo Clinic Connect.

You said that @nana75165's story sounded like your story. Did you get a diagnosis yet?

Jump to this post

Please if you don’t remember anything else, remember God! This and only this will keep you with your peace. This Autoimmune Nightmare is real. Many many years of suffering as I have, I’m certain has been cause for my severe depression. Because in most cases, you don’t “look sick”, it’s quickly determined that it must be in your head. That some “childhood trauma” conclusively causes the horrible pain in your body. When I tell you that I’ve heard it all. I have experienced all the humiliation felt in these comments and desperation stories. Does it help talking about it? Trying to figure that one out because it’s pretty taxing on me to sit and write this. There is too much to tell. I pray for you, because after 22 years, additional “stuff” has found its way to my body and is still some, definitively undiagnosed. Osteoarthritis; Fibromyalgia; Sarcoidosis; Systemic Sclerosis and now, through my own research and pure hellish suffering, I believe Dercums, I’m at my wits end. If I make it I will turn 68 on Nov 11th and feel like it’s gonna be my 88th No desire, no energy, little hope. Keep getting up is my advice, if any. Keep getting up. It’s been 22 years of nothing but doctors, specialists and despair. I’m so sorry for you and I pray that yours will not end here, Blessings.

REPLY
@momdukes

Please if you don’t remember anything else, remember God! This and only this will keep you with your peace. This Autoimmune Nightmare is real. Many many years of suffering as I have, I’m certain has been cause for my severe depression. Because in most cases, you don’t “look sick”, it’s quickly determined that it must be in your head. That some “childhood trauma” conclusively causes the horrible pain in your body. When I tell you that I’ve heard it all. I have experienced all the humiliation felt in these comments and desperation stories. Does it help talking about it? Trying to figure that one out because it’s pretty taxing on me to sit and write this. There is too much to tell. I pray for you, because after 22 years, additional “stuff” has found its way to my body and is still some, definitively undiagnosed. Osteoarthritis; Fibromyalgia; Sarcoidosis; Systemic Sclerosis and now, through my own research and pure hellish suffering, I believe Dercums, I’m at my wits end. If I make it I will turn 68 on Nov 11th and feel like it’s gonna be my 88th No desire, no energy, little hope. Keep getting up is my advice, if any. Keep getting up. It’s been 22 years of nothing but doctors, specialists and despair. I’m so sorry for you and I pray that yours will not end here, Blessings.

Jump to this post

@momdukes Oh, I’m so sorry, You sound like you’re at the end of your rope! Are you getting the medical help that you need?
Mostly, do you have someone you can talk to? Someone who will listen to how you feel about all this? A therapist or licensed clinical social worker?

REPLY
@becsbuddy

@momdukes Oh, I’m so sorry, You sound like you’re at the end of your rope! Are you getting the medical help that you need?
Mostly, do you have someone you can talk to? Someone who will listen to how you feel about all this? A therapist or licensed clinical social worker?

Jump to this post

Still seeking Specialist. I moved recently and now have the daunting task to hopefully find “qualified” Providers in my area, ie Rheumatologist, Pain Management, Endocrinologist, Neurologist and Pulmonologist. As recent as Wed this week, after years of search found a Clinical Psychologist who has agreed to take my case. Please pray for me, as I am in desperate need. I too have a horrible spine with bulging degenerative bone disease. To complicate my situation even the more, I have a super low tolerance for drugs. Hypersensitive to Antidepressants and Steroids. In short, it’s so painful it’s very difficult to talk about, without exasperating the listener. I am at a lost. I Thank you for seeing me in all of this and at the least asking the questions.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.