spoon theory

Coined by Christine Miserandino (born 1978), U.S. blogger and author, in her essay “The Spoon Theory” (2003)

In her 2003 essay, Christine Miserandino recalls first seizing upon the metaphor of the spoon when explaining to a friend how living with lupus required her to plan her life around an energy pool that is strictly limited, unlike the energy reserves of a healthy person. The two were eating, so she gathered a readily available item from the table as a tangible aid in her demonstration. Living with chronic illness is like living each day with a set number of spoons. Self-care, like preparing food, requires energy and costs a spoon. Neglecting such care, however, also reduces the overall number of spoons in one’s store. Rest may replenish the spoon collection for future activities, but people living with chronic illness, mental illness, or disability must be mindful that their stamina is not limitless, and must plan to live within the budget of spoons (energy) available to them.