Spoonies - "the spoon theory"
“Spoon theory” is a way for people who live with chronic pain to express how health issues impact their ability to complete everyday tasks and activities.
People with chronic pain, start each day with a set number of proverbial spoons, each one representing the physical and mental energy it takes to complete a daily task or activity. Smaller tasks, like showering or getting dressed, may cost only one spoon, while larger tasks, like cooking or vacuuming, may take three or four spoons. On days with increased pain, even smaller tasks may require multiple spoons.
“The spoon theory is a self-pacing strategy that emphasizes the need for chronic pain patients to work to a certain quota."