Trying to adapt

I saw this on another POTS blog and really feel like it belongs on mine as well. The other blog is called Brilliant Mind, Broken Body. 
"Three options exist when you become ill:
1) Deal with it, adapt, and keep living your life
2) Put your life on hold while you try to take care of the illness, assuming that you will rejoin the ranks of the living once you’ve dealt with it
3) Curl up in a ball and stay there"


I know that personally I've tried all three of these. I know we're all supposed to aspire to do #1, but some days its all just too overwhelming and all you can do is lie in bed and try to sleep until tomorrow in hopes that it will all go away. Some days I wish that this was all just some horrible dream, that I would wake up again and be me. The girl who I used to be, in the body that I used to take for granted. 
With POTS, you push yourself through and you either end up passing out or pay the price by not being able to stand up for a few days. I think that this is especially noticed in the holiday season when we are all very busy and traditions are put before limitations.  I sometimes still think that if I push myself, if I can make it through that long day of shopping or visit to the city with friends, that I won't pay the price. I always am proven wrong in the end. I think thats what is one of the most frustrating things about POTS, it limits you and its not like you can just push yourself through it and hope for the best. Everyday you only have so much that you can do and so with POTS you have to be very careful to choose what to spend energy on. Do you get work done or do you spend time with friends? Do you do the  dishes or do you run that load of laundry. Most people don't have to choose, but some of us need to prioritize what we do with what we have. 

I think the key to dealing with a disability is to learn to adapt. Learn what to spend your energy on, learn how to get more energy, and learn what to let go. For instance, this Christmas I did more than usual. I wrapped last minute presents and walked loads of boxes and bags down to the family room. I organized the presents and made everything presentable. I cleaned up the house, ran a load of laundry, decorated cookies. I played "elf" with the family retrieving presents from the tree and delivering them to family members in the den. I then helped to clean up the wrappings, brought my new presents to my room, gave the dogs their pills, etc. The list of little things adds up fast. Now because I did all that, I probably won't be going "after Christmas" shopping tomorrow with my mom and sister, for me thats okay. As much as I want to do that, its not worth giving up my place as the family "elf" or helping to make the holiday special. 
Some days we just have to choose. While work and chores usually win, its important to make time for fun things, even if it will cost you some in the end. Making the little things count helps too. Things like painting your nails in fun patterns, decorating cookies, and playing with your dog all make the days work worthwhile. Whether you're sick or not, in the end, you won't look back and remember the time you spent running errands, you'll remember the time doing things you enjoy. Make the time you spend count.