Energy Management with “The Spoon Theory”

How many spoons are you holding at the end of your day?

If you suffer from chronic pain and migraines, the daily tasks with your life can feel like such a challenge some days. Are you flattened, completely drained, or are you still holding one spoon in reserve for yourself by the end of the day?

Many years ago, I read a beautiful article called “The Spoon Theory” by Christine Miserandino. It was a glimpse into the life of someone navigating a chronic autoimmune illness. Christine related her energy expenditure throughout her day as giving away spoons. Depending on how many spoons you start your day with, all the decisions you get to make, and how you give away your spoons (your energy), directly impacts how you feel by the end of the day.

This spoon concept I use every single day so that I am conscious and intentional on how and where I allocate my spoons (my energy) so that I am not depleted at the end of the day. And we all know that when we get depleted it is the perfect storm for a migraine to come rollin’ in.

My alarm clock goes off, I hit snooze, and continue to lay there listening to my body for my answers. I am doing my morning check in, an inventory of sorts.

How does my body feel?

Where is my pain level?

What is my baseline energy level for today?

Have I recovered from the amazing hike I did the day before?

Am I going into this new day depleted or do I feel rested holding all my spoons?

Before I even get out of bed, these are the questions going around my head. The to-do lists, obligations, and oh the parenting pull to have quality connection time with my kids, and how to fit it all in and still be standing by the end of the day.

What stays, what goes, and where can I trim is all based on how my body feels and what energy is currently in the tank. All this happens in those precious 9 minutes during snooze. The game plan for the day.

How many spoons do I have and what is important to me that I will give a spoon to?

Energy reserves and energy expenditure is the name of the game while navigating chronic pain and migraines. Some days we might have a full stockpile of energy, many spoons to draw upon, and other days we can feel like brushing our teeth uses our precious energy when it is in limited supply.

Living with chronic pain and migraines day in and day out uses your energy in a very different way. It is a precious resource that we are keenly aware of and why it is important to be conscious of your own energy management.

Do you find yourself depleted, with low energy, at the end of your day?

Or are you still holding at least one spoon in reserve for yourself?

If you struggle with chronic pain and migraines, I can help you reclaim your energy so that you can feel like yourself again and get back to doing the things you love!

In health and happiness,

Julie

To read the full article of “The Spoon Theory”, click HERE.