A Twist on the Spoon Theory

https://streetlifesolutions.blogspot.com/2019/03/a-twist-on-spoon-theory.html

by DoreenMichele • 7 years ago

73 17 7 years ago

streetlifesolutions.blogspot.com

endgame• 7 years ago

Consider also: https://theunitofcaring.tumblr.com/post/178856511571/conserv...

This is probably the key quote, pointing out that "resource conservation" models (e.g., "spoons") doesn't work for everyone:

I talked recently to someone whose brain works very differently from mine. If they have the structures in place that they need to succeed, they will just keep on being able to do stuff until one of those structures breaks down. They can pack their weekend and then work all week; they can have something after work every single night. But if a structure crumbles on them, suddenly they can’t do much of anything.
The person I talked to was familiar with resource conservation models, and this really harmed them when their structures crumbled. They found advice to cut back on the stuff they were doing, save energy, commit to the minimum necessary, cancel plans. And none of that helped, plus it’s actually really depressing and isolating to do the absolute minimum you need to survive every day, so they ended up just as stuck and now without any of the things that made them happy.

hnzix• 7 years ago

Interesting read, thank you. A friend of mine has a genetic immune system condition and definitely fits the spoons model - their stamina is hard capped per day, although the cap fluctuates with their health.

Whereas if I'm going through a severe depressive episode, building momentum and restructuring is the only thing that works for me.

It's important to set realistic daily goals and not beat oneself up as long as some momentum is building, even if it's in tiny increments.

zoeysaurusrex• 7 years ago

Both my wife and I have autoimmune conditions and we operate like your friend. Coding can be a bitch on the bad days.

projektir• 7 years ago

Interesting...

I seem to follow the spoon model (if I schedule too many things, _bad_ things happen) but I don't have any genetic diseases, so not sure what to make of that.

linkel• 7 years ago

I wanted to chime in that I found that link helpful! I'd wondered why I didn't relate with spoon theory in the past. Spoon theory seems to apply for me only when I'm near capacity and don't have much slack (in the vein of https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/yLLkWMDbC9ZNKbjDG/slack). In those cases, I definitely notice that I will crave downtime, especially if I've had a lot of social activities. If I'm below 75% capacity, I think the momentum model best describes my situation. So if I could spend a couple more hours studying a new concept, working on a side project, or even just chores and life maintenance, it doesn't use up any of my spoons--I just have to put some effort in and collect the momentum to do more.

taneq2• 7 years ago

As your link says, I think people use a mix of different resource models. For myself, I seem to have a momentum model for "thing-y" work (engineering, paperwork, cleaning, etc.) but a resource model for "people-y" work. Most importantly for me, depleting my "people-y" resource will knock out my "thing-y" faculties: 10 hours of coding leaves me tired but OK and I'll be good to go again the next day. A two hour client meeting leaves me drained for a couple of days, during which I'll be no good for client meetings OR coding.

amelius• 7 years ago

A two hour client meeting leaves me drained for a couple of days, during which I'll be no good for client meetings OR coding.

I wonder if anyone knows a good hack for this problem. I suspect physical exercise works to some extent. Perhaps meditation?

WorldMaker• 7 years ago

This sort of thing is why I picked up (from other tumblr articles) using "Spell Slots" as a more appropriate / broader analogy for me than "Spoons". Most people these days are familiar with D&D-style spell slots or CRPG-style "hot bars" and the concepts that individual slots may have very different "cooldowns" or "rest requirements" (encounter slots versus daily slots, in the direct D&D analogy) from each other and that you generally have a mixture of them and different "spells" fit different slots.

Simulacra2• 7 years ago

Related, this is an excellent story about a millionaire who lost it all to become homeless, and then how he pulled himself back up: https://priceonomics.com/what-its-like-to-fail/

AlexTWithBeard• 7 years ago

A very exciting story.

But in order to be fair, having $500k in savings is nowhere close to being a millionaire.

war1025• 7 years ago

Halfway there in fact.

Simulacra2• 7 years ago

True and a very good point. I was thinking more in terms of his net worth, house, cars, etc.

renholder• 7 years ago

As the link to the Spoon Theory link was blocked (hello, blockadblock.com) becaues of the 8 plugins that I have, here's the Wiki on it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoon_theory

A Twist on the Spoon Theory

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