I don't really go to the spoon analogy, but I am very much aware that I have energy reserves which are not only finite, but significantly smaller than those of normally functioning people.

I am also aware of using different types of energy for different activities. So for instance I might be mentally exhausted and thus unable to engage in an intelligent discussion or research an involved subject, but at those times, I might be able to 'rest mentally' while cooking or washing up. Conversely, I might be physically exhausted and unable to cook or clean, but can then recharge physically while doing an intellectually demanding activity. Obviously, I can be drained in multiple areas at once too... and then about all I can do is sleep or veg.

One of my energy reserves has to do with simple auditory processing. You'd never think hearing requires energy, but I guess my limits there are low enough that I notice. I have very good hearing, btw, but I am not good at filtering sounds masked by ambient noise. Anyway, after a time chronic "noise" exposure, includingg ordinary conversation, music, television, sometimes even the birds, I go into a sort of auditory overload and need quiet. Continued sound exposure is draining to me, emotionally and mentally.

The thing about the sound I believe demonstrates that you don't even have to be sick to have energy limits/few spoons. But certainly being sick in invisible ways, or simply different in invisible ways can carry energy limitations, as well as a difficulty in relating to others about these limitations.