Energy vs Mood in Autism: Why Tracking Energy Works Better
Mood tracking apps use generic terms like "mood." They assume mood = unhappy, rather than drained = exhausted.
Can you have good mood but low energy? Absolutely.
I like playing Fortnite with my friends, but the trivial nature of small talk is exhausting. I'm clearly enjoying myself but dislike navigating small talk just to engage in things I enjoy.
What Energy Actually Measures
Energy tracking tells you the subtle factors that make you feel drained, not simply "unhappy."
Bothersome environments with bright lighting or flashing colors drain me, despite wanting to be there. Mood tracking doesn't account for this.
Why This Matters for Autistic People
Sensory overload is more taxing on me than on neurotypicals. Special interests are satisfying, but the sensory clutter that comes with engaging in them makes it less worthwhile.
Tracking energy helps you understand how activities are actively draining you, despite enjoying them. Wearing light-sensitivity glasses before running or biking outside makes something you already enjoy a lot more bearable.
When I don't track this energy drain, these small depletions compound into autistic burnout. Tracking helps me catch patterns before I hit complete shutdown.
Real Examples
Talking with friends. I enjoy talking with them, but masking my autistic traits—forcing eye contact, scripting what to say, navigating small talk—creates social exhaustion despite being happy to see them.
What happens when I only track mood instead of energy? I become unaware of why I feel drained most of the time. Why executive dysfunction kicks in and I literally can't get out of bed and do chores despite being eager to.
Energy tracking provides clarity on these subtle drains. Gives me more spoons for things I actually want to do.
I'm Omari, a 23-year-old autistic adult who's been managing chronic burnout for 5+ years while working warehouse shifts. I'm building Spoons because existing autism apps ignore adults—they're designed for children, not people like us who need practical energy management tools.
Why Spoons Tracks Energy, Not Mood
Energy has a much more profound effect on us than neurotypicals. Mood fluctuates with everyone. But the tax we pay to do most tasks is much more exhausting.
I'm Omari, a 23-year-old autistic adult who's been managing chronic burnout for 5+ years while working warehouse shifts.
This is why I built Spoons around spoon theory—the concept that I start each day with limited energy units (spoons) that get depleted by my daily tasks. Unlike mood, which is subjective and vague, spoons give a concrete number to work with.
Tracking it is crucial to avoid autistic burnout.
This is why Spoons tracks energy. One slider. 0-10 spoons. That's it.
Launching April 2026. getspoons.app - One email when it's ready. No spam.
— Omari
Note: I'm sharing my personal experience as an autistic adult, not medical advice. If you're experiencing severe burnout or crisis, please consult a healthcare provider familiar with autism.