It took me 44 years and a long journey to understand my mental health. After years of feeling out of balance, I eventually realized that I have been living with bipolar disorder. It has been difficult but it has also been incredibly liberating to finally acknowledge my diagnosis and take the steps necessary toward wellness.
I’m grateful to have found people in my life who understand what I’m going through and provide me with the support and guidance I need. I cherish their advice and wisdom, from how best to navigate life’s highs and lows, to taking appropriate medications when needed. All of this has helped me begin, tentatively, to make peace with my bipolar disorder.
I practice self-care habits that keep me grounded and balanced such as exercising regularly, eating healthy meals, sticking to a regular sleep pattern and limiting stress as much as possible. There are days where these practices seem discouraging or overwhelming, but if I don’t prioritize them it definitely impacts my overall mood and wellbeing.
Finding peace with bipolar disorder isn’t a journey that will end anytime soon - for now it’s about learning how to live with it in the most empowering way possible. For once I feel like I’m getting more control over the disorder instead of it controlling me.