Bipolar Disorder - You Don't Have To Be Normal To Be Successful

Bipolar disorder robs us of a normal life, no doubt.  Doing the things that most people more or less can do in their sleep often takes every ounce of energy for someone with bipolar.  Eventually we learn that we are faced with a choice- do we expend all of our energy trying to be normal, or do we redirect that energy and live a life that's normal for us? 

I have spent most of my life being shamed by people who are "Normal".  

Shamed and Shoulded.  Does being normal make you better than me?  You might think I am weak or stupid or simply crazy because I have bipolar, but you would be wrong.  Every day I live with this disease makes me stronger.  I am not afraid of a challenge.  I am only afraid of the highs and lows that I'm forced to control, the highs and lows that have robbed so many people who share my illness of the desire and ability to cope and to live. 

Today I am more successful than I've ever been.    I'm more successful than most people I know.  I'm making double the money I was making by trying to hold down a traditional full time job. My business is thriving, and I'm becoming much better at what I do.   What do I do?  I develop computer software, make websites, SEO, internet marketing, and do everything and anything along those lines that I can learn to do and that people will pay me to do.  I do what I can, when I can, and that works for me. 

If you have bipolar, my advice for you today is to not give up on yourself.  If you are on disability, don't let that define you.  Do something every day, or at least on those days that you can, to better yourself.  There are so many great online classes which teach marketable skills.  Get involved in that.   If washing the dishes consumes all your energy (typical for a person with bipolar), use paper plates.  If your medications make you forgetful (they do), write everything down.  If you can't work during the day, work at night.  If you can't work today, work only when you can.  Don't let this illness rob you of your life, your well being, and your success. 

If you love someone with bipolar, I know it is hard and I'm sorry.  Just know that it's hard for us too.  And please, try not to shame us, as we are doing a good enough job shaming ourselves.  Although normal might not be within our reach, success is.