Softer Living

In this second installment of our series, we'll focus on practicing hygiene and ensuring all-day comfort for individuals with sensory challenges and chronic illnesses. By making small adjustments to our routines and embracing soft and supportive clothing and accessories, we can nurture our sensitive bodies and conserve energy. Basic Hygiene In the first post of the Rise & Shine series, we addressed dental care, which is the bare minimum you must do to preserve your health during a flareup. Here, we explore basic hygiene for the rest of the body. Showering can be challenging for spoonies with pain syndromes. Even if it doesn’t hurt, a full shower can be exhausting for someone with limited spoons. Prioritize your energy by assessing your responsibilities and deciding if a full shower is feasible. If a full shower is not manageable due to pain, energy, or time constraints, focus on washing your hands, face, armpits, and genitals, in that order. Use a clean washcloth and gentle h...

In chronic illness, "spoons" is often used as a metaphorical energy measurement unit. This concept originates from "The Spoon Theory," a popular essay by Christine Miserandino. In the essay, she explains how she used spoons as a tangible representation of the limited energy individuals with chronic illness possess daily. In this analogy, each spoon represents a specific amount of energy or physical and mental capacity. Individuals with chronic illnesses start their day with a limited number of spoons, symbolizing their finite energy resources. Every activity, whether getting dressed, working, or socializing, requires several spoons. As individuals go through their day, they must allocate their spoons wisely, considering the energy required for each task. Once all the spoons for the day are used up, they may experience fatigue, pain, or other symptoms that indicate their energy stores are depleted. This metaphor helps to illustrate the need for careful energy managem...