Keeping Things Simple

Have you ever gotten so overwhelmed that you felt like you were going over the edge and would break at any moment. I cant take one more thing!  I'm on overload!  People with bipolar disorder can experience what we call sensory overload.  I have had this my whole life.  I found crowds very overwhelming.  I couldn't handle having a lot of friends at one time.  I would find a quiet space and place at family gatherings.  I didn't know what it was or why I felt that way.  But as I educated myself I found out that its common for those with bipolar to have delicate brain chemistry that can be set out of order if not handled with care.

Think for a minute about a delicate beautiful flower blossom.  That is a picture of our minds. Beautiful but delicate.  And we are responsible for protecting it.  If that means setting limits to our daily activities or making sure we are feeding our flower with water, sunlight and food then it is only fair and right to do that. Which would mean, feeding our minds with beautiful and helpful reading and resources to meditating with happy thoughts and healthy thoughts.  We must care for our beautiful flower and our beautiful mind.

For me keeping things simple is a major key to my sanity.  I thrive when I have limits and boundaries.  I have analyzed what I can handle and what I can't, and there is no shame with setting limits especially those with a mental illness.  I stay close to home.  I have a fairly regular routine.  I work for a time then rest so I don't get into manic mode.  I stimulate my mind by being creative.  I try to keep my home clean and in order.  Making things simple doesn't mean there is not effort or work involved it just means that there is less ciaos and more peace.  Having a massive amount of pressure could send us into a manic or depressive episode. Keeping things simple can keep things stable.  Only you know what simple is to you.  Some of us can handle things that others cant but I encourage you to take a look at the activities you do each day. Ask yourself if its bearing fruit, if its beneficial, if its important, if it aids your life and goal to be stable.  Can you cut back on it? Is it sucking you of life and energy?  I think there are a lot of things we can stop in order to feel more peace.  There are obviously unpleasant things we must do daily. But there are also alot of things we may be doing that are not important and not beneficial.  So lets take a look and see what can be cut off, what can be pruned in order for our lives to bear more beautiful blossoms of peace.

blessings
Bipolar Butterfly


Artwork by Jenni Moore

 Jenni

Depression and Guilt

Do you ever feel guilty for being depressed? I do. As much as I know that it is not my fault that I am depressed I somehow feel like I can snap myself out of it. I want to stay in bed. I feel guilty. I dont want to do anything. I feel guilty. I have no motivation. I feel guilty. I feel so lazy. I feel guilty.

I know we know this but I'm going to say it agian. Depression is not your fault, just like mania and bipolar is not your fault. If we could control it I know we would. Who wants to feel depressed? Who wants out of control mania running their life?

So what do we do when depression marries guilt? Know deep down in your heart that this feeling of depression; this lack of motivation; this heaviness is not your fault and you can not just snap out of it even when you put forth your best efforts. The word guilt means: the fact of having committed a breach of conduct especially violating law and involving penalty. 2 the state of one who has commited an offense especially consciously. So, did we wake up depressed on purpose. Did we ask for this heaviness and lack of motivation. Do we put our own punishment on ourselves for feeling this way? Yes I think alot of the times we do. We punish our own self for an illness we did not create.

We must stop if we are to gain some well being. I think this could be the best time to do something nice for ourself. Give ourself a break. For some it may be taking the day off. Watch movies, eat popcorn. For some of us we may have to push ourself to go for a walk or a drive; get out of the house. But the last thing we should be doing is beating ourself up. The best thing we can do is know and say to ourself that this will pass. I may not be feeling well right now but depression doesnt last forever with bipolar, I will feel good agian. I just need to endure this with a good attitude. I will not feel guilty about a crime that I did not commit.

So have a little candy. Be extra nice to yourself. Dont listen to negitive voices, including your own. Know that this too shall pass. Know that you can catch up on your to do list later. ( At least most of us) Keep on keeping on. Give yourself a hug. You are not guilty for feeling depressed or for not having the ability to not be depressed.

I hope this finds you encouraged
Love
Bipolar Butterfly