A lupus patient's definition of "doing nothing"

In looking back over my posts regarding my mini-flare, I think I've learned something. My definition of taking it "slow and easy" is kind of a joke. Don't get me wrong - I DID take it down a notch while I was under the weather. I had to. But my definition of ratcheting back and having a slow and restful week is a bit of a misnomer. I still did everything I had to do - took care of the kids, dropped off Deirdre at school, picked her up, made lunches, put the girls to bed for naps, picked up the house, paid bills, stopped at the grocery, picked out baby and birthday gifts for friends, went to the post office, blogged, etc., etc., etc. Johnny was a HUGE help - and I couldn't have gotten through the week without him. But it is mildly amusing to look back and realize that when I say I did "nothing", as a mom, a business owner, and a writer, I did the least amount possible, which is still a whole heck of a lot.

And I'm sure most lupites are with me on this. In my travels around the world and across the country, speaking at various lupus events and book signings, the folks I've met with lupus are anything but the "sit back and relax" type. They're go-getters, they're fighters, they're women (and men) who take charge, take action, and get results. Many of them are parents, a slew of them have careers, and all of them are determined to figure out how to live well, despite lupus.

So what can we learn from this? Perhaps this driven, high-achieving group can take heed, and realize that their definition of "downshifting" might look like other's "high gear". Perhaps we can learn that taking time off to rest, relax, and truly do nothing is an okay thing to do. And that we'd actually look and feel pretty good doing it, even if just once in awhile.

So I invite you to try it some time. Who knows? We might just enjoy life in the slow lane. Most likely not, but it won't kill us to dabble!