Lupus forces me to garden peacefully

Where are my gardeners? Gardening is not always the peaceful proposition that you envisioned, is it? In fact, it's strenuous work. Not with Lupus. What? One would think that gardening with Lupus was even harder than gardening without it. It certainly is, in some respects. In fact, it can be downright crippling. That is, if you continue to garden the way you did without Lupus. However, if you let Lupus guide you, gardening can be very tranquil, just like you always thought it should be.

How so?

I can only speak for myself, of course. Your experience may be different. However, with Lupus, I find myself forced to garden at a slower pace. I work the garden in shorter, less intensive spurts now. I do just a bit of work before heading back inside. Or, I sit under a shade tree, out of the sun and sip some iced tea every few minutes while gardening. I have less of a get it done right this minute attitude now that Lupus is ever present in the garden with me.

And there's more.

Lupus still prompts me to get it done, but slowly and peacefully. So, in the middle of winter, on warm days, you might find me in the garden as well. I putter around, here and there, getting ready for spring before it hits. I'm in no hurry, because I know that if I do a little something each warm day, eventually, it'll all get done before planting time.

A bonus:

By puttering around slowly and surely in the garden all winter, I also avoid some of the work I might normally be doing in the more intense sunlight of warmer months or even in the fall. For those who don't know it, the sun is not kind to us “Lupies.” I'm pretty lucky in that respect. Some have more extreme reactions. Me, I'm able to get a little natural vitamin D, as long as I don't overdo it. Those small spurts are perfect for that.

And speaking of Vitamin D....

Did you know that it prevents depression? So, by getting my 15 minutes of full sun a day, then using shade to my advantage, I bring even more of a peaceful aura to the garden. And by not overindulging in sunlight, I stave off the crankiness that comes with overexerting myself in that same sun. Lupus brings me a balance in this area that I feel grateful for. Before Lupus, since I'm a bit of a natural worker bee, I was often exhausted from too much sun exposure and intense labor in the garden.

And while I'm under that tree....

I can use my frequent breaks to work on my less intensive to do list items. Things like balancing my check-book, etc. You know. Those things that usually get put off for way too long. I can also work on

fun stuff like painting, photography and writing. So, between getting the to do's done and taking time out for fun, my time in the garden becomes even more peaceful, because my head is free, clear and happy.

You know, if it wasn't for the pain, I would highly recommend Lupus to everyone. Ha! Just kidding. But it does bring me peace in the garden.