Beyond the ‘Lazy’ Label: Understanding Energy, Executive Function, and the Insight of Spoon Theory

Many people can relate to this feeling, and it can be incredibly discouraging. It runs deep within us, and breaking free from it feels almost impossible. Imagine someone telling you that with just a little more effort, you could achieve so much more. The word “lazy” is often thrown around to describe those who struggle to complete tasks.Perhaps someone lies in bed all day, or even finds simple tasks like showering overwhelming. What if the issue is far more complex than a lack of motivation? What if seemingly lazy behavior is actually caused by underlying neurological differences? Or perhaps energy reserves are simply depleted? Resources that others take for granted every day.

To truly understand these issues, we must immediately stop judging. We need to gain a deeper understanding of how the brain works, especially how different individuals manage energy.There are two core concepts—executive function disorders and the spoon theory—that help shed light on these hidden struggles. These aren’t just academic terms; they offer profound insights into the daily lives of many people. They challenge outdated societal beliefs that difficulty equals someone intentionally not trying. They help explain why someone might genuinely “want” to do something—like an interesting project or simply getting out of bed—but seem unable to start or finish the task.

Let’s start by talking about executive function. Executive function is not a single skill; it is the result of multiple cognitive processes working together. Like a conductor directing an orchestra, these abilities are essential for managing life.Imagine them as skills that help us plan, organize, make important decisions, pay attention to details, and even control ourselves. Most importantly, they help us plan what needs to be done and then take the steps to get it done.

But for some people, especially those within the neurodiverse spectrum, such as those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder, these executive functions may be impaired.Neurodiversity means that the brain processes information differently from others. It learns or behaves in ways that differ from what is typically considered normal. When executive functions are impaired, it leads to executive dysfunction. This can have a profound impact on an individual. It often leaves them feeling deeply helpless when faced with tasks or projects. It’s not that they don’t want to make progress—the desire is often very strong. They want to start. But no matter what, they can’t seem to move forward.

Imagine you are currently running a busy company. But suddenly, all of your senior executives take a leave of absence. The company may have many talented employees who are ready and eager to work. But now, there is no one to prioritize tasks. No one to organize a structured workflow. No one to strategically assign responsibilities.No one to manage team collaboration. No one to closely guide and supervise the work. Everything comes to a standstill, completely paralyzed. This is the metaphor used in the article. It describes the state of a brain with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Just like a company without executives running it. This reveals the core challenge. The ability and willingness may exist, but the internal management system needed to execute is not functioning properly.William Curb explains the feeling of internal gridlock. He says that when we focus too much on the future, we become paralyzed. For people with ADHD, we are often good at grasping the big picture. But when it comes to executing specific steps, we often get stuck. This is the main difficulty people face: seeing the goal clearly but stumbling over simple actions.The sheer number of intermediate steps can be overwhelming, leading to a sense of paralysis. This paralysis can even arise before any action has begun.

The complexity of working memory further exacerbates this issue. It is sometimes described as the brain’s temporary note-taking space.This crucial tool is closely linked to executive function. It helps us remember tasks we need to complete today, assists in decision-making processes, and continuously guides our behavior. When working memory function is impaired, tracking tasks becomes difficult. Efficiently organizing time feels like solving an impossible puzzle. This means a person may frequently forget their responsibilities or be completely unable to allocate time reasonably. This further hinders the ability to start and complete tasks on time.

What’s truly shocking is that this doesn’t necessarily mean avoiding things one dislikes; individuals with executive function disorders may struggle with tasks they enjoy just as much as those they find tedious. For example, they may find it equally challenging to complete mundane household chores or work presentations.

However, it is worth noting that it is often difficult to get started on a task. Different types of tasks vary. For people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), certain tasks are sometimes easier to complete if they are stimulating and fun.

It is bluntly called “attention deficit.” It’s easy to get bored, you know. Short attention spans also play an important role. Boredom makes it difficult to stay alert. Almost anything can be distracting. From the chirping of birds outside.

To the flashing of phone notifications. Even just thinking about your favorite food. The possibilities are endless. This happens when tasks are not interesting enough.

Scientific research indicates that individuals with ADHD have biological differences in their brains. A 2017 study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found structural changes in multiple regions of the brains of individuals with ADHD. Researchers believe this may lead to a lack of motivation, a common experience among those with ADHD. Additionally, a study published in January of this year further suggested that lower dopamine levels may also be a contributing factor.Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter in the brain’s reward center. Lower levels can affect the brain’s reward center, leading to a lack of enthusiasm to start or complete tasks. This provides a potential neurobiological basis for the challenges of insufficient motivation and difficulty starting tasks. These challenges often appear to outsiders as being very similar to laziness.

Thomas Brown, Director of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Treatment Center at the Brown Clinic in California, explains it this way. If you try to complete a task that really interests you, you will actively engage in it and perform well. But if it fails to spark your interest or enthusiasm, you will be unable to get started, metaphorically speaking.

No matter how much you tell yourself, “I want to do it,” “I need to do it,” or “I really should do it,” you won’t be able to make it happen. Because this is fundamentally not a matter of willpower. This powerful analogy perfectly captures this experience.

For the average person, someone with executive dysfunction today may appear to have low motivation, which is associated with brain chemistry issues, or may be frequently distracted. This can easily be mistaken for laziness. The term is associated with a lack of motivation and an unwillingness to put in the necessary effort. When distractions lead to careless mistakes, this perception is further reinforced. It may be assumed that the person does not care enough about the task at hand. However, this perception is far from the internal reality.The text emphasizes that individuals with ADHD may have already exerted all their effort. Yet they still cannot complete what they want to do. Their difficulties do not stem from a lack of effort but from how their brains process information and manage tasks in daily life.Now, let’s shift from the brain to the physical and energy levels. This is another helpful way to understand why seemingly simple tasks feel so difficult. This framework is called the “spoon theory,” proposed by Christine Miserandino in 2003. She has lupus, a chronic disease that affects energy levels. The theory uses a simple analogy of utensils to explain.People with chronic illnesses or disabilities have a limited amount of energy available. Everyday tasks consume the energy they have. This is a brilliant way to make invisible struggles more tangible.

The core concept is actually very simple. Imagine that you wake up every morning with a certain number of spoons. Each spoon represents one unit of energy. From the moment you wake up until you complete all your tasks, each activity consumes spoons.The text also cites the example of John Lopp, a disabled artist and writer, who demonstrated how this theory works in his daily life. Getting out of bed might only require one spoonful of energy, taking a shower two, preparing food three, completing a full day’s work eight, and going out with friends three more.

The real challenge lies here. You can only use a limited number of “spoons” each day. Unlike able-bodied individuals who may have abundant energy or can borrow from tomorrow’s “spoons,” there is no quick delivery system here. In emergencies, they cannot quickly obtain more spoons. For those who are depleting their energy reserves, the situation is particularly difficult.The number of spoons a person starts with isn’t fixed either. It can change significantly over time. Some days might begin with thirty spoons, which makes completing tasks relatively easy. However, other days might start with just two spoons. These spoons can be depleted in a very short time, used solely to meet the most basic needs.

Currently feeling low on energy or unable to complete tasks. Because health issues are not character flaws, nor are they moral failures. As the text clearly states, we are not being negligent or lazy; we need help. Understanding these concepts—executive function disorders and the spoon theory—can change the way we view things. These are often symptoms of deeper, invisible inner struggles. They are not simply choices born out of laziness. That is the truth.

Related posts:
Spoon theory: How a cutlery metaphor can help explain the energy it takes to live with disabilities
Explaining low stamina levels – with spoons