Is chronic pain or fatigue running your life? Let’s talk about slowing down.
There is a concept called the “SPOON THEORY”
The idea being that you have a certain amount of “spoons” allotted per day. You have to choose how to use those spoons. If you use more than your allotted amount for that day, the next day you will have less spoons. And playing catch up is often difficult.
When this concept was first explained to me by my doctor, she said I had 6 spoons each day, and something like vacuuming the house would use up 3 spoons leaving me with 3 spoons for the rest of the day. I needed to be wise in how I used my spoons and I needed to plan my days accordingly.
Depending on where you are in your chronic journey your spoon allotment might be different, and the amount of spoons any given activity requires will be different. But the chart above gives you an idea of where to start if you are new to the spoon theory.
Here’s the question: How do you accept this concept and come to terms with slowing down your life?
Most people, myself included, get thrown into the slower paced life whether we want to or not. We are forced by our bodies to come to a screeching halt. However, the mental game of acceptance and joy doesn’t happen all at once and we are left picking up the pieces. So what now?
Giving yourself grace is number 1! You have to be kind to yourself and allow yourself the rest your body needs WITHOUT the GUILT!
The amount of reading or TV time will increase, the number of naps you need will certainly go up, and guess what?! THAT’S OKAY! If no one around you is telling you that’s okay then take it from me, it is more than okay to slow down, in fact it’s like medicine to your body to slow way down.
Letting go of old hobbies and replacing them with new hobbies will carry you from defeat to victory!
Instead of huffing and puffing that you can’t ski anymore, try picking up snow shoeing. Instead of sucking your thumb that you can’t be a triathlete right now, change your focus and become the best yogi in town! And who knows?! You just might love your new hobbies even better. Don’t let a condition get the best of you, you conquer it!
Prevent damaging current relationships by communicating with people close to you.
Sharing information such as the Spoon Theory and talking about your new limitations with help people become supportive instead of critical. I found that when I went to a social gathering, if I had at least one person there who understood my new life, I could be more comfortable and could follow my new ‘rules’ better. People will step up for you and announce that you aren’t going to do an activity instead of getting pressured into it.
Find healthy outlets to release negative emotions you are likely harboring.
When you are transitioning to a new way of life it’s normal to have feelings of loss, disappointment, even depression. You don’t have to go through this transition alone. Find a support group, check in with a close confidant on a regular basis, pick up journaling, or begin attending an exercise class with others who understand your physical limitations. I’ve used all of these at different times in my journey and they have all helped me get to a place of healing.
