Energy meter

How it works

1. Use − and + to choose how many spoons you have today. Not sure? Start with 12.
2. Choose what you are going to do today. Is it not there? Write it down yourself.
3. On your list, change how many spoons something costs, from 1 to 4. Rest gives 1 back.
4. See how many spoons you have left. Are you short? Then move something to another day, with Another day.
5. Print your day card. On paper, cross out a spoon when you use it.

Why spoons?

The idea comes from Christine Miserandino. She has lupus, an illness that does not go away. In a diner, her best friend asked her what it is like to be ill. Christine took spoons from the tables and gave them to her friend, who counted 12. Everything you do costs a spoon: getting up, having a shower, getting dressed. When they are gone, they are gone.

She keeps one spoon in reserve herself, for when something unexpected happens. You can read her story in The Spoon Theory, a saved copy in the Web Archive ↗ (external website).

How much does something cost?

That differs from person to person, and from day to day. Having a shower can cost 1 spoon on a good day and 3 on a hard day. The examples have a starting value. Is it not right for you? Change it on your list.

Do not forget the small things. A phone call, waiting in a waiting room or a busy shop can also cost energy.

In the Energy meter, rest gives back 1 spoon, but never more than you have already used. That is our choice.

Are you short?

Then you move something. The Energy meter suggests what can go to another day: first things that can often wait, like shopping, housework or visits.

• Can someone take something over from you?
• Can it be smaller? For example, tidying one room instead of the whole house.
• Plan a rest between two things that cost a lot.
• Like Christine, keep one spoon spare for something you did not expect.

Planning together

You can also plan your day together, with someone who helps you or who you live with. Show your day card: then the other person can see why not everything can happen at once.

Rather on paper

1. At the top of a sheet of paper, draw your spoons, for example 12.
2. Underneath, write what you are going to do today, and how many spoons each thing costs.
3. Add it up. Is it more than you have? Take something off and write it down for another day.
4. Cross out a spoon when you use it.

Good to know

The Energy meter does not measure anything. You estimate yourself how much energy you have and what something costs.

Are you often very tired, and do not know why? Talk to your GP about it.

Your data

What you fill in is not saved and not sent. If you close the page or reload it, everything is gone. So print your day card first.

With Copy the text you put your plan as text on the clipboard of your own device. Do you choose ‘Save as PDF’ when printing? Then your day card is saved as a file on your device.