A drawer with full sections of knives and forks but an empty spoon section.

Examples of How I Use My Daily Spoons

Have you heard of the spoon theory? It started when Christine Miserandino was trying to explain to a friend what it’s like to live with lupus on a daily basis. She shared the story, "The Spoon Theory," on her blog.1 People with chronic illnesses found the idea relatable, and it became a useful and iconic tool when explaining their diseases to others.

By providing your email address, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

For this video, I got out many of my kitchen spoons and created a visual scenario of what they allow me to do. This includes things like getting dressed, making meals, doing chores, exercising, and driving. Then, I removed some of the spoons to show how my day changes if I have to deal with lupus fatigue, joint pain, or a more severe flare.

What requires the most spoons in your daily life? What is the last thing you’re willing to give up when you start running out of spoons?

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Lupus.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.