Living with soft bipolar can be a confusing and difficult experience. There’s no one-size fits all when it comes to this condition, which is why my story might not look the same as someone else’s. What I can say for sure is that I’ve had to learn how to navigate through some unique challenges since my diagnosis.
One of the biggest difficulties has been learning self-care and managing my energy levels. It isn’t always easy to recognize when I’m entering a high or low period and know what steps to take in order to stay healthy at all times. Having the right tools and finding supports like friends and family who understand have been invaluable in helping me manage my highs and lows.
Another challenge has been coming to terms with the fact that even though there’s no cure for this condition, it doesn’t have to define me either. Soft bipolar is just one part of who I am, a part that can be managed through creating strategies, sticking to a treatment plan, finding mental health support, getting enough sleep, avoiding triggers and staying connected with others—all essential components in helping me live as authentically as possible.
I’m grateful for the way this condition has helped shape me into a person who values self-awareness over anything else—it’s made me pay closer attention to my thoughts, feelings and behaviors so that I can recognize any warning signs before everything spirals out of control. Soft bipolar is something that I’ll always live with but ultimately I’m responsible for making everyday life manageable by taking control of my mental health journey from day one.