Understanding Your Energy

Learn how capacity, executive demand, recovery and the spoon metaphor can help explain daily energy.

What Is Spoon Theory?
Have you ever reached lunchtime and felt completely exhausted… Even though you hadn’t done anything that seemed particularly difficult? Or perhaps you’ve wondered why some days you can accomplish so much…
Why Do I Wake Up With Different Amounts Of Energy?
Have you ever woken up feeling ready to take on the day… Only to wake up the next morning feeling exhausted before you’ve even left the bed? It can be confusing. Especially if nothing obvious seems to have changed.
Where Do My Spoons Go?
Have you ever reached the end of the day and wondered, You may not have exercised. You may not have completed a huge project. You may not have left the house.
Why Does Grocery Shopping Exhaust Me?
Have you ever come home from the supermarket… Put the shopping away… Then felt like you needed to lie down? Perhaps you’ve wondered,
Why Does Socialising Drain Me?
Have you ever spent time with people you genuinely enjoy… Only to come home feeling completely exhausted? Perhaps you’ve wondered, Or maybe you’ve worried that something must be wrong with you.
Why Can I Do One Big Thing But Nothing Else?
Have you ever looked back at your day and thought, Maybe it was a doctor’s appointment. A work meeting. Grocery shopping.
Why Does My Energy Disappear Without Warning?
Have you ever been in the middle of your day… Feeling completely fine… Then, almost without warning, it feels as though someone has switched your brain off? Perhaps concentrating suddenly becomes impossible.
Why Does Rest Sometimes Not Feel Restful?
Have you ever spent an entire evening “resting”… Only to wake up feeling like you never really recovered? Maybe you lay on the couch. Watched television.
How Can I Protect My Energy?
Once we understand where our energy goes… The next question is usually: It’s a good question. The answer isn’t to avoid life.
What Is Spoon Debt?
Have you ever had a day where you somehow managed to do everything? You got through work. Went shopping. Caught up with friends.
How Do I Recover My Spoons?
After learning about Spoon Theory, many people ask the same question: It’s an understandable question. When you’re exhausted, it’s natural to want to recover as quickly as possible.
Learning To Spend Energy Wisely
Throughout this section we’ve talked about understanding your energy. Where it goes. Why it changes. How to protect it.

AuDHD Companion provides self-reflection, organisation and general wellbeing tools. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or emergency support.