Silent Pain in the Everyday
Have you ever wondered why some days flow effortlessly, whilst others seem like an endless, excruciating comedy of errors? It may be that on those trickier days we fail to observe some of the quiet pitfalls that at other times we effortlessly manage to avoid.
The current of our energy isn’t always easily steered, as outlined in an analogy making recent waves by Christine Miserandino. Spoon Theory was intended to offer explanation to non-sufferers of chronic illness a relatable comparison of how those battling with any number of conditions can struggle with a lack of energy. She states the idea that every person receives the same number of spoons per day, with each spoon representing a portion of vitality required to accomplish daily activities. Whilst it might ‘cost’ an ordinary person one spoon to get up, make their bed, eat breakfast and leave the house, a person grappling with a chronic illness may ‘pay’ with four spoons to achieve the same tasks. With the latter person running out of spoons more rapidly or being forced to spread the energy of the fewer remaining spoons across tasks that outweigh the allocation – their condition and their accompanying mental state can become further exacerbated and contribute to a vicious cycle.
This principle can be further analysed to suggest that there is greater scope in emotional range and efficiency among individuals with non-chronic ailments. Suppose that some people become conscious of their ability to choose how they use their spoons in a measured way, whilst others whose spoons are consumed by poor but not necessarily chronic mental health are more likely to be predisposed to incur emotional damage from daily obstacles. Something as simple as a phone call can induce stress in some when others can easily navigate around or simply not experience any deeper feelings associated with the interaction. Suddenly, the playing field is no longer level and those hitting the speedbumps are left wondering why they feel worse than what they are seeing in those around them. This is indeed a silent and festering pain, particularly left unnoticed and unidentified.
The thing to watch out for in this context, however, is the spoon that disappears or is taken without your permission. Relationships, workplaces, family dynamics (to name a few) all incur spoon costs. The evaluation lies within yourself to examine how much emotional investment you allow on the things that are truly meaningful and those that are not. Whilst the original spoon theory represents a permanence in energy cost to those with ongoing incapacity, there is some transience in an extended interpretation for those who can use awareness of the spoons to make significant changes in their outlook and emotional expenditure. Not to mention, those around you who you are choosing to spend your spoons on, also can provide you with their spoons. Remember that energy is an exchange, and there’s potential for recharge, rejuvenation and joy when investing your energy wisely.