For many of us bipolars (especially of the rapid-cycling variety such as myself), we live our days with the understanding that the mind is seldom a "still" presence: it is constantly in a state of activity...for better (we often think when we are in the throes of manic euphoria) or for worse (when we are in bleak depression). Over the years, I have come up with two favourite ways to "tame" the overactive mind that have been quite effective in keeping me out of harm's way (such as, prevent me from overspending during manic episodes or becoming suicidal during depressive ones) and, in fact, encourage me to become more focused during times of "rapid-cycling hell", for lack of a better term. These include: (1) blogging (simple, cheap, and fun); and (2) painting/drawing.
Blogging is about as easy as you can get, and with as many free blog-hosting sites as exist online, there is no excuse in not being able to get started as soon as possible, if you like. Anyone can write! You can write about anything you want. Your dog; your cat; your friends; you can make up stories; you can write about anything or nothing at all; you can write about yourself even! I choose to write about myself and the fact that I'm bipolar, but you don't have to; I choose to do so because I find doing so to be VERY therapeutic in and of itself, but do be forewarned that, if you choose to do so, you might want to keep it anonymous (due to work considerations and such). ;-) In any case, who knows, you very well might get hooked on blogging as much as I have: I'm going on 2 years strong with my blog, and I'll never give it up for anything!
Painting/drawing/anything else creative? Also an excellent outlet to get hooked on. If you check the photos in my profile, you'll find a few examples of what I've done when I get particularly agitated and need to take a "break" from the world and lose myself for awhile in something completely non-verbal yet powerfully expressive. I swear, there is no better way to relax than with a paintbrush in hand and a box of paints at your fingertips. Get some for yourself and you will understand exactly what I mean.
Blogging is about as easy as you can get, and with as many free blog-hosting sites as exist online, there is no excuse in not being able to get started as soon as possible, if you like. Anyone can write! You can write about anything you want. Your dog; your cat; your friends; you can make up stories; you can write about anything or nothing at all; you can write about yourself even! I choose to write about myself and the fact that I'm bipolar, but you don't have to; I choose to do so because I find doing so to be VERY therapeutic in and of itself, but do be forewarned that, if you choose to do so, you might want to keep it anonymous (due to work considerations and such). ;-) In any case, who knows, you very well might get hooked on blogging as much as I have: I'm going on 2 years strong with my blog, and I'll never give it up for anything!
Painting/drawing/anything else creative? Also an excellent outlet to get hooked on. If you check the photos in my profile, you'll find a few examples of what I've done when I get particularly agitated and need to take a "break" from the world and lose myself for awhile in something completely non-verbal yet powerfully expressive. I swear, there is no better way to relax than with a paintbrush in hand and a box of paints at your fingertips. Get some for yourself and you will understand exactly what I mean.
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An Introduction (or, "Nice to meet you!")
