In need of spoons: the spoon theory & me

I’ve had rheumatoid arthritis in every joint (excluding my spine) from my eyes to my toes since I was 18 months old. I’m 33 now with two young kids plus a full time job.
I. Am. Tired.
My son started school this year and I have had one virus or another since September.
In addition to my Enbrel (for RA) I take iron, b12, magnesium and Tylenol daily. Lately, I’ve been wearing my air cast to help put pressure on my aching ankles.
This is typical RA stuff with some new, unappreciated but “normal”, side effects. A few months ago while investigating some abnormal blood work, docs came to the conclusion that I am chronically fatigued due to the arthritis now targetting my blood.
I didn’t even know this was a thing!

Web MD will tell you that is is, in fact, a thing.

If it’s not enough, me saying “I feel like garbage” then feast your eyes on the scientific (hematology reports) proof!

…So for half a year or more, I’ve been more tired than I’ve ever been and it’s just “normal”.
It’s my normal.
The blessing and curse of arthritis is that tomorrow is uncertain; could be an “up” day, a “down” day or… “normal”… where 10 hours plus of sleep at night doesn’t leave you feeling rested. Every tiny thing becomes a major, multi-faceted task. Putting on your winter boots is enough to have you passing out from sheer exhaustion.
I’ve never related to a description about my life and energy levels more than that expressed as the “Spoon Theory”.

This infographic very accurately conveys what my ultra-fatigued body & mind struggle to. I’ve actually seen it and shared it on social media before, however new challenges brought me back to this same image. I even emailed it to my boss AND to my partner this week; two (very different) people who, I feel, need that missing perspective RE: my day to day functioning and limitations.
If you’ve ever seen me in a “down” swing & ask “what can I do to help?”, simply read and try to absorb the above “Spoon Theory”.

Asking how to help is very thoughtful, and appreciated, but since there is not a lot physically you can do to help me (most of the time), reading the super quick infographic posted above would mean the most.

Knowledge is power! Understanding is medicine! Thanks for reading this!