Spoon Theory, a concept introduced by Christine Miserandino, has become a powerful metaphor for individuals living with chronic illnesses, including lupus. The theory serves as a tool to help explain the limited energy reserves that those with chronic conditions face on a daily basis. In the case of lupus, an autoimmune disease that can affect various organs and systems in the body, Spoon Theory is particularly apt. Each “spoon” represents a unit of energy, and individuals with lupus start their day with a finite number of spoons. Every activity, from getting dressed to working or socializing, requires the expenditure of spoons. Once the spoons are used up, a person with lupus may experience fatigue and increased symptoms, emphasizing the need for careful energy management and prioritization in their daily lives.
And there is a new theory from Jen Rosenburg: “Fork theory is that one has a Fork Limit, that is, you can probably cope OK with one fork stuck in you, maybe two or three, but at some point you will lose your shit if one more fork happens.”
