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Need help expalining to someone about our energy levels? Use the Spoon Theory!

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Posted 9/24/2011 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
This was actually written by a gal with Lupus, but it really helps to explain to those who are interested what it can be like living with these tick-borne infections!!

Definitely worth the time to read!

www.butyoudontlooksick.com/navigation/BYDLS-TheSpoonTheory.pdf
Posted 9/24/2011 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
I couldn't get through the whole thing, but I read enough to absolutely love it!
Posted 12/14/2011 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Bump! smilewinkgrin
Posted 12/15/2011 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
Love that one!! My 17 yo daughter uses this analogy quite a bit now!! Thanks for sharing! :-)
Posted 12/15/2011 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
I came close to crying.

I thought well she has 12 spoons, but then I thought getting out of bed, washing one's hair, shaving one's legs doing ones hair would take 8 of my spoons.

At LEAST 8 if not all of them. .
Posted 12/15/2011 3:52 AM (GMT 0)
That is a really good way to explain it! I have told friends before that I have to be careful to not overdo things otherwise I won't have the energy to do other things that need to be done. I will have to remember the spoon example. Thanks for sharing!
Posted 12/15/2011 5:07 AM (GMT 0)
I couldn't really relate to the idea. My energy changes so often.. Somedays I might have trouble walking up or down a few stairs but later that day I might feel almost normal.. I have days I wake up exhausted and have trouble staying awake all morning but then later on I can't sleep.
Posted 12/15/2011 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
In him,
That's exactly what this is talking about! For us it changes daily and I think it does for those suffering from Lupus as well though, but the idea is still the same. I wake up each day with so many spoons -take this morning for example - I feel like I woke up with only 8 spoons - LOL! - so I know that I need to be careful how I "spend" those spoons. I count getting up, dressed, and awake enough to be on the forum as 2 spoons, so I only have 6 spoons left.

I need to save enough spoons for fixing dinner and feeding my critters, so 3 have to be set aside. Three spoons are remaining. I need to decide what I can/want to do with only 3 spoons now! I choose to use 2 to use my treadmill today and 1 spoon to be on the forum for a bit.

It can really help you plan out your day if you have a tendency for over-doing often - like me. Or it can help explain to others that you have to literally 'save' energy for doing things like fixing dinner, showering, or getting to a doc's appt.

Hope this helps a bit!
Posted 12/15/2011 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
Traveler I read it, I dont relate to it.. I can't save up energy.. I can wake up with no energy and feel normal later for no apparent reason. I can not plan out my day or even my week. One week I may have insomnia and another all I can do is sleep.. The explanation may fit what shes going through and you also but for me its not even in the ballpark..
Posted 12/15/2011 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
Ohhhh, now I understand what you were saying!!! So sorry!! blush
Posted 7/21/2013 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
Always a good one to read!
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