THE SPOON THEORY: HOW MANY SPOONS DID YOU WAKE UP WITH?

If you live with Lyme or any chronic illness, you may have heard people talk about spoons. The spoon theory is a simple way to explain what it's like to start every day with a limited amount of energy. Every task costs spoons, and once they're gone, they're gone. I made this graphic to help our community explain it to the people who love us. Count your own spoons today, and share this with someone who needs to understand.

The spoon theory was created by Christine Miserandino, who has lupus. While eating at a diner with a friend, she handed her a handful of spoons and asked her to describe her day, giving up a spoon for each thing she did. Simple things like getting dressed, or showering and washing your hair, each cost a spoon. You can borrow against tomorrow's spoons, but then tomorrow starts with fewer. That is why many of us plan ahead, and why we sometimes have to cancel plans.

Fatigue like this is very common in Lyme. According to the Global Lyme Alliance, in a LymeDisease.org survey of more than 3,000 people with chronic Lyme, 59% described their fatigue as severe or very severe.

Free symptom checklist: https://www.riseabovelyme.com/post/free-symptom-checklist-a-tool-to-bring-to-your-appointments

Why your support matters: A guide for loved ones: https://www.riseabovelyme.com/post/loved-ones-being-unsupportive

Fatigue: https://www.riseabovelyme.com/post/fatigue

The Spoon Theory, by Christine Miserandino: https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/

Lyme Disease and Fatigue (Global Lyme Alliance): https://globallymealliance.org/blog/lyme-disease-and-fatigue