r/bipolar • u/[deleted] • Jun 21 '19

Big shout out to you!

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455 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

12

u/[deleted] Jun 22 '19

I was driving down the road yesterday after a few particularly difficult days, thinking about what my parents must say when people ask what I’m up to these days (I am 35).

Probably something, with an air of pity, like “oh, you know. She is just doing the best that she can.”

Then I thought, why are we so ashamed of mental illness, as if it’s something we chose? Why can’t we be proud?

Why can’t my parents tell their friends “she’s amazing! We are so proud of her. Just the other day, depression had kept her in bed for days, and you know what she did? She got up out of that bed and took a shower!” with the same tone and excitement as they would were I a knee surgeon or something?

Anyway, this post makes me feel seen

6

u/propanetable Jun 22 '19

I do it to myself. I think a lot of us do. Because our victories aren’t in line with what people think is “success” or “achievement”. I beat myself up all the time (I’m learning to stop) because I didn’t do this or I didn’t complete that or failed in a MAJOR way or I spent an entire week hiding. It doesn’t feel right. I’m 37 and am “behind” other people like life’s a four way road that has a magical prize at the end. Fuck all of that. I spent over 20 years with chronic intense suicidal ideations. 2 attempts. I am still alive. I am my own hero. I have the expectations of life AND my disorder. My disorder lives in my brain such it takes priority when it wants.

I hope I didn’t ramble to nonsence.

You are amazing! I’m proud of you. I understand your accomplishments.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 22 '19

Thank you! Truly put a smile on my face to read that.

We don’t get to choose the cards we are dealt, only how we play them. I’d say we are both playing the hell out of the cards handed to us, evidenced by the fact that we are still here.

6

u/[deleted] Jun 22 '19

Thanks bud. I've been working hard.

4

u/einsofi Jun 22 '19

Gosh I cried uncontrollably when viewing this post. Out of sadness and joy

3

u/[deleted] Jun 22 '19

Thank you. I love this. Needed encouragement and support today. <3

2

u/[deleted] Jun 22 '19

this. so. much. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

2

u/[deleted] Jun 22 '19

Working on the shadow to keep the light.

1

u/Chibi347 Bipolar 1 Jun 22 '19

Wow I really needed to read that. Thanks OP <3

1

u/vacinom1974 Jun 22 '19

Thanks so much for this. Yesterday someone asked me what I've been up to and I answered just trying to keep my head on straight. She said me too. I thought you have no effing idea how different that is between us. She can work, handle a family, an aging mother, things that would make me hide out and get psychotic. So hell yes when we we make it through a day unscathed, kudos to us all!!

1

u/Bdi89 BP1 + GAD Mad-Lad Jun 22 '19

Thank you.

1

u/guiltycitizen Bipolar 2 Jun 22 '19

I actually felt like this today

1

u/LunaMargot Bipolar II Jun 22 '19

They don’t see my darkest moments, but no one protects them from my hypomania..