The Spoon Theory was developed by Christine Miserandino when trying to explain to a good friend, what it was like for her to live with Lupus (2013). This theory has helped not only those with Lupus, but those throughout the chronic illness community. It can help loved ones better understand what pacing looks like when navigating days with limited amounts of energy, and what it might be like to navigate through each day in this way. It can also help us visualize what pacing looks like! Given how pacing allows individuals in the chronic illness community to schedule with energy levels in mind, this is a very helpful theory which occupational therapists can use to help those in our community adapt.

If you think of individual spoons as being equivalent to various amounts of energy you have (so having 30 spoons means you have a lot of energy, and 4 spoons means you have very little), you may be able to predict how much energy (or spoons) certain tasks require. This may help you pace yourself throughout your day, ensuring you don’t run out of spoons (energy). Individuals within the chronic illness community who use this theory to pace themselves refer to themselves as “spoonies.”

Here Is A Visual Example:

Sources:

Miserandino, C. (2013, April 26). The Spoon theory . But You Dont Look Sick? support for those with invisible illness or chronic illness. Retrieved November 21, 2022, from https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/