Spoon Theory

Spoon Theory is a way to explain what it feels like to live with limited energy. Instead of talking in hours or percentages, it uses spoons as a metaphor.

Every action — like getting dressed, going to work, or having a conversation — costs a spoon. When you run out, that’s it. You’re done for the day.

This idea was first shared by writer and lupus advocate Christine Miserandino, but it’s now widely used in disability, chronic illness, and neurodivergent communities.

Why spoons?

The point is to make something invisible — like mental load or physical fatigue — visible. You start each day with a limited number of spoons. Some days you have more. Some days, very few.

And the cost of things isn’t always what others expect:

• A noisy train ride might cost more than a long meeting
• Making a phone call might use more energy than cooking a full meal
• Just being around people might burn through most of your spoons

Why it matters

Spoon Theory helps people:

• Understand why some days are harder than others
• Communicate their limits without needing to “prove” anything
• Push back on toxic productivity and unrealistic expectations

It’s a gentle reminder: energy is finite, and everyone deserves to use it with care.