In many of my posts, I share how learning to be happier has changed my life for the better. At the beginning of 2022, my happiness practices were really tested. I am so excited to share this story of how those practices served me well this week as I experienced a challenging start to theContinue reading “Tried. Tested. True.”
Tag Archives: Mental health
Mad or Manic Holidaze
Growing up my mom absolutely loved the holidays. Our family would head downtown to see the Christmas displays in the department store windows, watch the enormous toy train set in the train station lobby and visit the Santas from around the world on display in PPG Place, a beautiful glass tower complex that shined likeContinue reading “Mad or Manic Holidaze”
Lucky 13
The day before Thanksgiving marks the 13th anniversary of my last discharge from an inpatient psychiatric unit! This anniversary edition is dedicated to every young person who was recently crushed by a bipolar diagnosis. You can be healthy again! To the patient struggling to discover a treatment cocktail that successfully manages their symptoms without causingContinue reading “Lucky 13”
Document Joy
In Anticipate the Good I shared my experience and change from being mostly a pessimist to a perpetual optimist looking forward to the future joy. Another way to feed your happiness and the positivity in your life is to document joy. In ninth grade my English literature teacher made us keep a journal all year.Continue reading “Document Joy”
Anticipate the Good
Last Friday I was full of anticipation. I had been looking forward to my weekend trip since June when my sister bought tickets for us to attend a pop up Alice in Wonderland themed cocktail event. One thing I learned after Mastering Misery and my experience with 60 burials a week working at the cemeteryContinue reading “Anticipate the Good”
Mastering Misery
Shine Bright illuminated my childhood experiences with death and depressed family members. When I was a freshman in college my family experienced a major case of déjà vu. I began my studies in the summer semester in July to get an early start on graduation. My baba who lived with us on and off forContinue reading “Mastering Misery”
Shine Bright
I covered a large time period in Personal Growth. From sometime in 2010 to 2018. During that time I struggled, I grew, and I changed. I wasn’t always grateful for the opportunity to receive a full time paycheck and tuition reimbursement that covered a portion of my higher education. I still struggled with depression, hugeContinue reading “Shine Bright”
Personal Growth
One day during the Nervous Nellie saga while I was driving eight plus hours every two weeks to support my mom’s care, I was invited to join another department at work. It was the opportunity I knew I wanted from my first month in my new role. I thought about it and discussed it withContinue reading “Personal Growth”
Nervous Nellie
Thanksgiving day 2008 was my first day of freedom. I shared the story of my last severe manic episode in One More Time. After discharge, I felt anything but free. Tony was still far away and our relationship was holding on by one strand of a single solitary thread. We talked on the phone whileContinue reading “Nervous Nellie”
One More Time
After my release from the psychiatric unit following my suicide attempt described in Darkness Descends, I realized I needed to make some changes to improve my life and make it worth living again. I also had to get ahead of mounting financial pressures. We downsized and down graded our living arrangements by moving into lowContinue reading “One More Time”
Darkness Descends
As I prepared to return to Tony in Florida, I tried to acclimate back to a “normal” and healthy feeling in my body and mind. My nerves were gone. I felt like a collection of fireworks filled with anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and dread were exploding inside my body on a constant basis. I vividly rememberContinue reading “Darkness Descends”
Mania Manifests
In the summer of 2006, I decided to move with my boyfriend of two years from the DC Metro area to Florida in search of some warmth and a slower pace. Tony and I sold most of our belongings. We quit our jobs and traveled 12-hours by car to start a business in an unfamiliarContinue reading “Mania Manifests”
What Does Bipolar Feel Like?
My mental health challenges have been like suddenly falling into the angry, raging rapids of a fast moving river at night in 20 degree weather while wearing a snowsuit, boots, and bottom layer long johns. Almost impossible to survive. I hear a lot of messages about accepting your shortcomings as they are. Loving yourself unconditionally.Continue reading “What Does Bipolar Feel Like?”
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