“Staycation” Time
Okay, so maybe a “real” vacation isn’t possible, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do something entertaining locally. Think of yourself as a tourist in your city or town for one day.
This doesn’t mean you should fill your day with 20 different things to do, but maybe pick one or two that fit within your limitations and give you the opportunity to get out of the house and do something different.
You might chose to go to a movie, visit a museum, explore a planetarium, take a trip to the zoo, or have a picnic in the park. If you search the Internet for “things to do in (name of city),” you might be surprised what comes up!
In doing this, I recently discovered that there are 100 quarter-horse statues located throughout my town! I can go on a scavenger hunt with my family from the comfort of my car.
Treat Yourself
Honesty, I can think of many things I should do on a good day — but why punish myself for feeling good? Normally, I feel sick, experience pain, and suffer from lupus fatigue and need to nap, so a good day will often change those circumstances.
Yes, perhaps it would be a wonderful opportunity for completing household chores that are difficult on typical days and near impossible on bad days. However, my goal is to embrace the good days with lupus (without overdoing it), so I would prefer to treat myself to something special.
Chores, shopping, or running errands could easily become overdoing it, so opt for something calm and relaxing that you enjoy. Go have a pedicure, indulge in an ice cream float, play a game with your kids, tend to a garden, or prepare a favorite meal that you seldom get to enjoy (if you like to cook).
Family Fun
Most of the time, family time is dictated by how I’m doing and feeling. I can admit that I get cranky at times, I’m picky about what we eat (due to what I can tolerate), and I seldom get to do what someone else wants to do.
I’m sure my husband and kids get frustrated that their ideas are put on the back burner for “some other time when I’m feeling OK.” A good day can provide an opportunity for those “some other time” activities (within reason).
As long as it’s doable, give another family member an opportunity to suggest something to do and follow through with their request! My kids might want to have a popcorn and movie night, but on typical days, I may be too tired to truly engage.
A good day is a great time to show your family their ideas are appreciated and just as important as your own. Allowing someone else to choose what you do, what you have for dinner, etc. can help ease any tension or resentment that may build up because of all things you can’t do.
Even if you do not get the chance to experience them often, good days will eventually find you! Do not waste them. Embrace them, celebrate them, enjoy them!
Stay within your limitations and avoid attempting too much or wishing for more than you can do. Relax and have some fun, but remain realistic.
In time, perhaps the good days with lupus will become more frequent. If you find you want to do more than one good day will allow, keep a good day bucket list that you can easily refer to and add new ideas to as they arise.
By making a list, you will be prepared for the good days when they happen without wasting time deciding what do to and possibly having the good day tick by unfulfilled.
Have your family participate in creating the good day bucket list so their ideas are included as well. Not only will this provide a wonderful opportunity to connect and bond, it will give everyone something to look forward to the next time you find yourself with a good day on your hands. May you blessed with many!
