A “spoonie” is a term used by people with chronic illnesses. It stems from lupus blogger Christine Miserandino who explained her lack of energy using spoons.

How do you know if you’re a spoonie? We’ve scoured the Internet for some examples of what it’s like to be a spoonie and how it affects everyday life.

1. Christine Langager told The Mighty that she needed to wake up extra early to give herself enough time to pep talk herself out of bed.

2. Katie Cupcake knows all about the fatigue that spoonies experience. She spends all day trying to keep her eyes open, only to not be able to sleep when she goes to bed.

3. On a sadder note, fibromyalgiatreatmentgroup.com says you know you’re a spoonie when your friends stop calling to see if you want to do things.

MORE: Living with an ostomy bag: A day in Rebecca’s life

4. Adam Johnson tells But You Don’t Look Sick that he knows he’s a spoonie because he needs a nap after he gets up and takes a shower.

5. Regular sized purses are a thing of the past for spoonshares.com. She now carries a Mary Poppins-sized carpet bag to haul her supply of meds around.

6. Having your doctor as your No.1 on speed dial definitely makes you a spoonie according to fibromyalgiatreatmentgroup.com.

MORE: Crohn’s disease flare-ups: An emergency guide.

7. See your doctor more than your friends and family? This is Kisha Fleet’s definition of a spoonie for But You Don’t Look Sick.

8. Abodyofhope.com knows she’s a spoonie because she knows all the local pharmacists by their first names.

9. According to Linda Boyce, one sure-fire way to know you’re a spoonie is if your pill box is bigger than your lunch box.

MORE: Seven things you’ll understand if you’re a woman with IBD.

10. To-do lists are rarely finished, in fact as Canna Yamamoto says, you’re lucky if you can tick one thing off your list each day.

11. Budgeting energy is the theme of spoonies, Vicki Blank says she needs to budget hers just to take a shower.

12. Katie Cupcake knows she’s a spoonie because some days she considers brushing her teeth an achievement.

MORE: Vlogger discusses how Crohn’s disease can affect body image.

13. The happyspoonieproject.nl sees some positives in being a spoonie and attributes her newfound love of crochet, knitting, and blogging to being a spoonie.

14. Having other people dismiss your illness and symptoms seems to be a common experience for spoonies, as fibromyalgiatreatmentgroup.com notes.

15. Pain is all too common for spoonies. Jackie Plumley tells But You Don’t Look Sick that she wakes each morning wondering what part of her body will hurt today?

MORE: Watch this simple video explaining a colostomy.

IBD News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.