Listen in for today’s answer to a question from instagram follower @_super_brain: “How do disabled people balance out their spoons?”

“It can often be hard to explain something we don’t always understand ourselves.” ~ Sarah Reid

In this episode, we unpack what it's really like to live with limited energy while managing chronic illness. From common metaphors like the Spoon Theory and Penny Theory to the often-overlooked Battery Life Theory, we explore how energy depletion affects daily life—and how different frameworks can help you better understand and communicate your limits.

What You’ll Learn:

• The difference between Spoon Theory, Penny Theory, and Battery Life Theory
• How invisible activities—like digestion or even just breathing—can drain energy
• Why seemingly simple tasks (like unloading the dishwasher or taking a shower) can feel overwhelming
• How mobility aids can help conserve energy for essential or meaningful tasks

Takeaway:
There’s no single “right” way to describe energy struggles with chronic illness—whether you relate more to spoons, pennies, or battery levels, the most important thing is finding a system that helps you advocate for your needs.