It's More Than Just a Lack of Energy - but That's a big Part of it (Plus Spoon Theory Explained)

Fatigue is a symptom I suffer with, and I suffer with it often, but for the last few weeks my energy levels have been lower than usual. I'm just tired after being tired, while being tired. With chronic illness, we’re constantly walking the tightrope between what we want to do and what we have the energy to do- and it's not a fun place to be.

A lot of people don’t understand how much energy goes into doing even the smallest things. Going to the grocery store, cleaning the house, doing the laundry, going to the movies- it's not just about doing the thing. It's about getting ready to do the thing, doing the thing, and getting home from and/or recovering from the thing.

Energy that you probably didn't have to begin with, is now being used to put on make-up, blow-dry/straighten your hair, wear heels after a long day- you name it, energy is used in all sorts of ways able bodied people don't necessarily understand. And even solutions, like ride-share options like Lyft and Uber, while helping with the energy saving part of things, isn't cheap, so going out and doing things is still hard even though there are more ways to get there and back. 

We use the term "Spoonie" a lot on this page, and it's because it's such an apt way to discuss what it's like to live with a chronic illness, and the toll it takes. Below is an infographic that is helpful when talking to people about energy levels, what energy you have to work with, and where that energy goes on any given day.

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This is what has been on my mind lately, and I just wanted to put that out there. Hope this helps you all have these difficult discussions in your lives.

Gentle hugs, 

​Heather, Fabulous Fibro-Fighter and FSC Founder