So , a week into Advent and I hope that the tips in ' Our' Calendar are helping you cope with whichever Winter Festival you are preparing for.
I must admit , I was struggling a bit today to decide what to write about ( there is so much to choose from ) when a big bolt of inspiration dropped into my Mail Box , from my Dear Friend and Forum Member , Scats.
A picture of a Christmas Spoon.
The message attached said, " An extra Christmas Spoon to help you through the season , might be useful for the Calendar too xx"
I knew exactly what she meant ; and instantly knew what tip I needed to share with you today. The Chronic Illness Sufferers Festive version of " Spooning"!
Christmas involves a lot of helpful spoons . Pudding spoons for stirring. Wooden spoons for waggling at naughty guests who try to steal from your feast before it's ready . Shiny silver spoons to dress your table and hold the perfect mouthful. Spoons for Fun , to test your skills and dangle from your nose. And that , one spoon that's a bit bent but you have been using for years to unscrew stubborn fixings on everything from new toys to Christmas Lights , it's just the right type of pointy . Spoons are helpful.
But in the World of Chronic Illness , Spoons have gained a whole new meaning with the most popular Pacing Technique of All called , Spoon Theory.
There are tons of books , blogs and Apps out there endorsing this style of Self Care in your Everyday Life , but in essence it is simple. Energy we use each day is measured out in Spoons and we all have a limited amount of them based on our Health Needs. Different activities use different amount of spoons , and we shouldn't use more than a few at once without resting . We are all Spoonies . But what do we do as Spoonies at special times of year when we just need more Spoons?
Aunty Bee decided to take her thoughts on Spoons a bit further outside the cutlery box!
Everybody , not just those in need, in my opinion , are Spoonies.
Some of us are Spoon Givers , others are Spoon Receivers. Sometimes a bit of both.
In the old days , we were all Spoon Givers . We just didn't know it!
We offered up help to others in need . We gave lifts , bought shopping , delivered parcels , decorated homes, and basically did all the jobs for that Friend or Family member whom because of Ill health , Age , New Babies , or Life's 'little' disasters needed that extra helping hand.
Now , with PMR, GCA or any Chronic Condition ; be we on the way to recovery , or just coming through the Pain Door ; be we mild sufferers , or bed bound , Men or Women, Old or Young, we need to take the time to measure our Energy out carefully to beat off Fatigue and stay Flare Free.
We need to become Spoon Receivers , and do so happily!
So , don't be guilty , if you are offered a Christmas Spoon , even if you didn't ask for it , just like any other unexpected Christmas gift , receive it with excitement, unwrap it , and accept it gratefully.
And just like days of Yore , when you might have needed to borrow a bowl of sugar , a step ladder, or a few extra chairs , before your cutlery drawer of Energy is empty , ask for a spoon of Activity from someone whom you know has extra spoons to spare . Because there's nothing worse at Christmas than to run out of something just at the point that you really need it.
So thank you again , Dear Scats , for lending me your Christmas Spoon and supplying me with today's supply of Creative Energy.
You see , today has proven, sometimes we can be both Spoon Giver and Receiver , every little spoon counts!
And to All our members , and supporters of the PMR/ GCA Christmas Freedom Party , before you follow the advice on Scats' spoon and ' Dive In' , check inside your Cutlery Drawer . And , if you are short of Spoons , grab whatever size or shape of spoon you need from someone who has some spares and doesn't need it . And remember too , they probably borrowed a few spoons from You years ago and had just forgotten to give them back!
Now , where is that coffee spoon , I've got some Fairy Lights to mend !
Christmas Spoons for All , hugs , Aunty Bee xx
Spoonie
