Why the Official Spoonie Definition is Outdated!

Might ruffle some feathers in the Spoonie communities with this one!

I’ve been thinking about what the term ‘Spoonie’ means to me, for us.

The official definition says:

“A Spoonie is someone who manages their daily energy carefully due to chronic illness or disability.

The term ‘Spoonie’ comes from the “Spoon Theory”, a concept defined by Christine Miserandino, who uses spoons as a metaphor for energy.

Spoonies prioritise tasks based on their limited availability of ‘spoons’, compared to a non-Spoonie.”

If a Spoonie is:

“someone who manages their daily energy carefully.”…

Isn’t that enough?

Why do we need to add:

“… due to chronic illness or disability.”

There are may reasons why someone might have to manage their daily energy carefully, beyond disabilities and chronic illnesses.

Take Menopause, for example.

Menopause is a cause of chronic fatigue.

Yet it isn’t officially recognised as a Spoonie condition because it’s not a chronic condition.

What is a ‘chronic’ condition?

According to the CDC, a chronic condition is defined as:

“lasts one year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both.”

Well, that’s Menopause, isn’t it?

The fatigue and other symptoms can last for several years.

In my view, menopause is a Spoonie condition!

As a strong advocate for creating a business that runs to your own rules, I’m declaring that the term Spoonie applies to anyone who aligns with it.

Other people will always have an opinion on what we ‘should’ do.

• Like when you’re told you have to do sales calls, attend networking events or host livestreams if you want to succeed online… NO!

• Like when disabled people are conditioned to think their only options are to claim benefits, take an unsuitable job or have no money… NO!

• Like when you’re supposed to take your Christmas tree down on the 12th night!

  OOPS!

Soz for the shit picture. I wanted to prove the photo is recent and not from December lol.

Accept other people’s opinions when they feel right for you or your business.

Reject the rest.

Hello Christmas tree still up in March!

My personal definition of a Spoonie?

ANYONE who has to OR wants to find more ‘effortless’ ways of doing business and life so you can conserve your energy for the things you want and need to prioritise:

• You might be in peri or menopause.

• You might be a carer, a parent, both.

• You might have a chronic illness or be disabled.

I don’t give a shit which of these you’d tick - or if you tick none of ‘em.

I don’t care what the ‘official’ definition says - or what Betty from number 46 thinks.

You belong here, regardless.

Photo by Levi Guzman on Unsplash

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