Spoon Theory

Spoon theory is a metaphor describing the amount of physical or mental energy that a person has available for daily activities and tasks, and how it can become limited. The term was coined in a 2003 essay by American writer Christine Miserandino. In the essay, Miserandino describes her experience with chronic illness, using a handful of spoons as a metaphor for units of energy available to perform everyday actions. The metaphor has since been used to describe a wide range of disabilities, mental health issues, forms of marginalization, and other factors that might place unseen burdens on individuals.

My daughter told me about this theory. I assumed that I have an unlimited amount of spoons each day — and that if I don’t I SHOULD.

The reality is I don’t — and that the number of spoons I have can vary day to day, week to week and might be declining over the years? I frustrate myself when I don’t have all the spoons I want and/or need.