Oscillation between two mind sets

@creative_writer yeah I seem to manage pretty well, which surprises me sometimes. I have days where I haven't slept and yet barely even notice a difference, until I hit a wall in the late evening and go 'huh, why is it even harder to concentrate than usual, OH RIGHT I forgot I haven't slept' 🤣

I know if I don't get enough sleep tonight I'll be pretty miserable tomorrow, and seeing as how I have a dentist appt I definitely hope I can conk out haha. Or maybe being super tired will mean I don't have the energy to be anxious? Time will tell!

ARCVIC are a rly good bunch! And their training was actually invaluable. Really hammered home about how presence and attunement are more important than any actual words - the epitome of the 'sitting with, not doing to' kind of mindset. Hit em up if you're curious - either as a form of support, or as an opportunity to volunteer, whatever's clever 😉

Yeah my early 20's were pretty gnarly, I was waaaay more unwell than I was able to accept at the time and refused to get help for ages. It'd be nice if I could go back in time and reassure my younger self that it was all gonna be okay in the end (and maybe implore my younger self to seek support cos in fact having chronic SI for 10 years was a good enough reason to need therapy, lol), but I really adhere to the idea that cringing at our past selves just shows us how much we've grown 💜

Glad that 1800respect was helpful, and proud of you for making that call! I definitely understand the kinds of mental barriers we must sometimes overcome to take those kinds of steps. I hope you are proud of you, too.

I'm off to PGC! Come join if you have energy/mental space for it 😉 Otherwise I will chat to you next time hun. Hope your evening is filled with the things that nourish you 😊💜

@creative_writer glad you are able to respect your needs hun. Hope you can carve out some time to recharge and nourish yourself 💜

Aye, I'll bet I'll be feeling it tomorrow! Wish I didn't have so much to do 😑

Yeah retraining my 'fix-it' urges was challenging. Can be difficult sometimes to be able to recognise when solution-focused is appropriate vs. just holding the space. I think you start to get a knack for picking it, over time.

Yeah for sure, my bestie has bipolar and has often spoken about the challenges of recognising mania and knowing that it isn't always the best option to throw caution to the wind, no matter how good she feels and how much she thinks that it is a good idea to go driving up the coast for 9 hours straight and swimming naked in a lake! Can very much understand the reluctance in wanting to reduce or dull that feeling. Sounds like you've found balance and worked hard to recognise how it has impacted you, and yeah, finding the right support goes a very long way.

Wellp, after PGC I have had just enough time to write this response and now I'm logging off again! I hope you have a good weekend hun, may you find time for respite and replenishment, and hopefully a bit of whimsy or silliness along the way too 😉

Nighty night! 🤗😋💜

Hey @creative_writer I hope you don't mind me commenting... ok it is what these forums are for I still feel weird though. I only read back a little ways into your thread but it seems like you have a lot to deal with, I'm glad you are here talking about it @Jynx really seems to know their stuff.

With mania... well I only got hypomania apparently but I hate it, I didn't recognise it when I was in full swing but the loss of control is horrible, especially for mixed episodes. Luckily it hasn't been really bad for a long while.

Forgive me if I have asked before or if you have said but do you have bipolar 1 or 2? I am still wrapping my head around all the differences and things.

Well anyway, wishing you all the best. If you ever want to talk I am around, if not then that is also fine lol. Take care and such...

Hey @creative_writer

How are you doing today?