Send 'smooth-sailing' sentiments to Spirit_Healer!

@Spirit_Healer the honesty of kids. Sounds like it was a fun moment for them and you 😊

It sounds like they really respect you @Spirit_Healer and see you are so loving and caring towards them.

Hello @tyme @MissGremlin @NightFury @Shaz51 !

I'm feeling massive FOMO about missing the dance event last night. My church friends had an impromptu gathering last night, which I went to instead. I left at 9pm because I was tired, good thing I didn't plan to go dancing as that's the time it starts.

I went out to eat with my fitness instructor after class today. He wanted to know my diagnosis, and I told him that it's bipolar. He acknowledged that I'm doing really well to be able to work. He has a friend with bipolar who is in hospital and can't work. It was nice to have my efforts acknowledged. Most of the time I'm masking, trying so hard to appear 'normal'. People generally don't know how much effort I'm putting in!

This fitness instructor seems to be going out with you on a weekly basis now @Spirit_Healer 🙂

How do you feel about it? How do you think he felt when you told him your diagnosis? He sounded pretty open.

@tyme I learnt during our second catch-up that he is gay. I asked him if he was 'interested' in me, and that's how I found out.

I feel really positive about our friendship. It seems that both of us were in need of a friend. He's really good company. We talk about work, family and friendships.

He was really non-judgemental when I told him my diagnosis. I also mentioned my past diagnoses (schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder) and that's when he complimented me on my ability to hold down a job. He was also curious about my medications, so I told him that I'm on a mood stabiliser and an antipsychotic. Reflecting now, I may have opened up his mind to how differently mental illnesses can impact or present in different people.

I intend to keep spending time with him for now, or until I get a jealous boyfriend (if or when I do). Ideally, I can still keep seeing him because he's really open and I can learn a lot from his maturity and ability to hold down multiple jobs, while also being a carer at home.

@MissGremlin

Ahhhhh, fair enough. At least that irons things out @Spirit_Healer 🙂

It just seemed like you were going out a lot. It's nice to know that it's okay to be friends.

Honestly @Spirit_Healer , we're just so proud of you with how far you have come. It's amazing. I still remember when you were beginning to get unwell. You've worked so hard to get to where you are.

Head up my friend!

Speak soon!

@Spirit_Healer I'm so glad you got to catch up with him again and it sounds like the beginning of a great friendship ❤️. It's great that you have been able to be open with him and it sounds like he is very understanding and non-judgemental which is amazing. He really sounds like a great person to have around and I'm glad you found each other cos it sounds like that friendship was needed by both of you.

Keep being your amazing self and smashing those goals. Sending you hugs sweet ♥️

Hey @Spirit_Healer , How's work been?

Hello @tyme @MissGremlin

I've had an almost empty schedule at work this week, it's been quite nice. Still waiting to see my new timetable for the next semester, hopefully it's a good one.

My best friend's situation is worrying me. She's just decided to leave an emotionally manipulative relationship and she's worried for her own safety. It sounds like she has support from agencies and friends, she just needs to line up accommodation and logistics. She is interstate, so I can't really help much.

Also, I made the decision a while ago to change psychiatrists. I said goodbye to my old one yesterday. I've known him for a long time. The farewell might explain why I've been feeling quite low in mood this week. He said my new one is excellent, I really hope so.

Hello @Spirit_Healer 😊.

It sounds like it's been a quiet week for you, hope your new timetable is good when you get it 😊.

I hope your friend will be ok, it sounds like a scary situation for her to be in. I can hear that you are worried for her and not being able to help much would be hard. I really hope everything works out for her ❤️.

Changing psychiatrists is a big step and would definitely have an impact on your mood, when do you get to meet with the new one?

Sending you hugs sweet, keep being the amazing person you are ❤️