Spoon Theory

Perhaps you have heard of "String Theory". It emerged in the 1980s as a new mathematical model of theoretical physics. It showed how all the particles, and all of the forms of energy in the universe, could be constructed by hypothetical one-dimensional "strings".

"Spoon Theory" was first termed by Christine Miserandino, a young woman suffering from Lupus. The full story can be found at www.butyoudontlooksick.com where Christine tells how she first used it to explain the limitations of her illness to a friend.

While Spoon Theory may not be as intellectually stimulating as String Theory, I was to able use it this morning to explain to my Granddaughters that I needed to prioritise what I would do today. Aged at just 8 and 11, they not only grasped the concept fully, they eagerly embraced it.

I told them that each spoon represented energy in the form of activities or tasks. Before I got ill, I had about 100 spoons to use each day, just like they do. Now that I am not well, I usually have only 15 or at most 20 spoons each day.

Today I only had 6 spoons and so I needed to very carefully plan how I would use them.

My youngest Granddaughter rushed into the kitchen and came back with theses 6 spoons.

Together we decided that the 6 spoons would be used as follows...

1 spoon = making breakfast. 
3 spoons = going to the pool (1- walking there, 1- being at the pool, 1- walking back home).
1 spoon = PEM.
1 spoon = having a shower.

I started the day feeling very tired and unwell, yet with realistic planning was able to get lots of rest and take my Granddaughters to the pool. All in all we had a lovely day.