It’s called Spoon Theory

If you ever played a Zelda game, its how many “hearts” you have before you “faint”. It’s a metaphor about how much energy a person has, that can be usefully descriptive when discussing one’s experiences with managing a chronic illness

Wanna shower? That’ll cost ya a spoon. Maybe you’ve got eight of them, so how do you choose to use them? If you run out, you won’t be able to cook yourself dinner, and there’s no amount of “will power” that will help you

Use some medication to help you “push-through” because you’re hungry? That’ll cost ya a spoon on credit (when you wake up)

When it comes to disability — if you over-exert, it can cost you your entire next day while you rest and “restore hearts”. So you have to learn how to manage your energy more conscientiously than you would if you didn’t have “that disability”

The theory can help, not only to teach yourself how to manage your energy for everyday tasks, but also how to discuss the hurdles that your situation presents

In my own experience — it can be especially helpful in discussing how an “invisible illness” affects you… with family, friends, and sometimes acquaintances. And I find that to be kind, because it’s easily digestible for the person who hasn’t had those extremes of experiences

Regardless of my struggles, I’m very grateful for the amount of spoons I’ve been given

Sticking to your opinion without openness to changing them (especially due to fear)… that’s how you become inflexible and risk breaking something (or something breaking you)

Fuck, just reading that made my stomach twist. Same exact stress-dream, over 10 years outta college, except organic chemistry instead of French… but I did take organic chem and I did really well. Rude ass, stupid brains

didn’t have the spoons to do anything about it

I see you dabble in disability. I always appreciated this metaphor for it’s usefulness and kindness

Thank you, it was the first thing I thought and was about to go search for it

You’re a troll-y little thing, ain’t ya. It’s also super cool to be kind for no reason, you should try it!

I’m not high, and was kinda seeing it the same. So no worries, you’re not too high

It’s a forum where anyone can reply to anyone, as I’m sure you’re aware. Chill out a bit, yeah?

My best

How expressive is it‽ Like, we talking “finger-puppet” expressive, or more “don’t look it in it’s eye” expressive?

I believe you to be correct, as I was being (obviously) kinda cheeky :) But I always appreciate someone being able to hear me <3

It gets the (small niche) people going

Same

That’s fucked up. Funny. But also kinda… “idk you like that”. Gay

I really appreciate the info and the way you laid it out. Just curious, is that knowledge part of a hobby and/or career? Or was that like just one of the random tidbits you picked up somewhere?

Sounds like something a fish would say

Well, this has been one of my favorite threads I’ve seen in a while. Thanks everyone!

Username checks out?

Pathota, pathota

Made my day