The Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing (A Skill I’ve Perfected Thanks to POTS)

The Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing (A Skill I’ve Perfected Thanks to POTS)

Hey, hons!

Let’s talk about something truly magical—the fine art of doing absolutely nothing. Some people might call it laziness, but I prefer to think of it as energy conservation. See, some of us don’t just want to spend the day lounging—we need to.

As someone with hyperadrenergic POTS, my body has a mind of its own when it comes to energy. Some days, I can handle all the cleaning, organizing, and backyard projects I want. And other days? Just standing up feels like I’ve run a marathon (without the medal, the glory, or, frankly, the ability to run). That’s when I have to embrace The Sacred Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing.

The Perfect “Do Nothing” Routine (POTS Edition)

1️⃣ Step One: Pajamas All Day

When your body is fighting you every time you stand up, real clothes are simply not an option. The uniform is soft pants, oversized shirts, and a blanket that I occasionally wear as a cape. (Because if I have to lie down all day, I might as well feel majestic doing it.)

2️⃣ Step Two: Strategic Couch or Bed Positioning

Lying down = the only way to keep my blood pressure from plummeting into the abyss. I make sure I have pillows, blankets, and the remote within reach so I can binge-watch bad TV without having to sit up too much.

3️⃣ Step Three: The Snack & Hydration Plan

Salt is basically a food group when you have POTS, so my snack pile usually includes pretzels, salty chips, and anything that helps keep my blood pressure from betraying me. And, of course, I keep a giant bottle of water nearby—because if I don’t drink enough fluids, I might just dissolve into the couch entirely.

4️⃣ Step Four: The Endless Scrolling Phase

There’s something about brain fog that makes scrolling the only mentally manageable activity on bad POTS days. One minute, I’m casually checking something online, and the next thing I know, I’ve somehow ended up on hour two of a deep dive into historical conspiracy theories.

5️⃣ Step Five: The “I Should Probably Get Up” Debate

At some point, I’ll think, Maybe I should try to be productive? But then I remember that if I push myself, I’ll probably end up even worse tomorrow. So, I take a deep breath, remind myself that resting is actually a form of survival, and continue my role as Queen of Horizontal Life.

Rest Without Guilt

Look, society loves to make us feel like we need to be productive all the time. But when you live with a condition like POTS, resting is non-negotiable. Some days, I can conquer the world. Other days, just taking a shower feels like an Olympic event. And that’s okay.

So tell me, hons—do you ever struggle with resting without feeling guilty? Let’s chat about it while I continue perfecting the fine art of doing absolutely nothing.

With love, salty snacks, and a whole lot of lying down,

Aunty Christine