To all the #spoonies out there, this doodle is for you 💖 Yesterday I learned about Spoonies, a term based off The Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino. The theory perfectly describes what living with fatigue-inducing syndromes/diseases feels like. If you struggle with these kinds of conditions or love someone who does, I HIGHLY recommend reading it (quick search on the Google machine will pull it up).
Today was one of those days where getting up and ready took the energy I had. Fatigue was heavy, but I was supposed to meet up with a friend; we'd set the date a month prior. Didn't my body get the memo?! I happened to read someone's similar experience of fatigue today and a commenter responded simply, "Sending spoons!" The sentiment opened my heart. What a beautiful expression. As I pondered whether to cancel/reschedule or push myself and go out, I opened the silverware drawer to grab a spoon for my lunch. There was only one left because I'd been spent throughout the week and hadn't kept up on the dishes. The sink was piled high and only the giant silver spoon I never use was left.
Just one spoon. I took the hint. Swallowing my sense of guilt over not doing my part (aka meeting at a middle ground) I asked my friend to come to my place instead. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but I get the sense that other spoonies will understand how "receiving" can be a challenge sometimes (or maybe MOST of the time), especially when you're asking for something that is more to the benefit of your needs. But perhaps that's exactly what our conditions are trying to teach us...to self-love and accept love from others, instead of always fixing, giving, and trying to hold the world together as if we are the only ones who can. Speak your truth. Ask and receive. Sounds simple, but it’s all a very challenging lesson to me. Still, I was so happy to see my friend. And I was relieved to save a spoon.
