#TBD | Embracing The Mania

Hello Readers!

I would like to introduce to you a new column that we will be sharing each week. It is called The Bipolar Diary and will be place where we can share our stories of Bipolar Disorder, ways to handle this disorder and different posts that will educate you on what Bipolar Disorder is.

For the next few weeks, we will be sharing posts that were originally posted over at Melanie’s Blog. Enjoy!

There are many productive things you can get accomplished when you are in a manic state, and, from the beginning, I set out to find out every single one I could be capable of.

I started with the every day things that are the hardest for me to do:

• Getting out of bed (still not easy)
• Playing with my kids (I’ll attempt it way more, but not necessarily succeed)
• Making dinner (jury is still out on that one)
• Accomplishing writing goals (this is an area I’ve excelled in)
• Paying more attention to the emotions of others around me (easy but requires some focus)
• Paying more attention to my own emotions and doing the things I need, instead of only doing the things want (much easier to move with my instincts)

Then I moved on to the things I’ve been wanting to do for a while, and would love to accomplish:

• Landing a official freelance writing gig (check times three)
• Figuring out what direction to take my blog (I’m pretty happy with where I’m at and looking forward to a blog conference next month to see what my other options are and I love thinking that my blog can just be my unfiltered thoughts, while everywhere else I publish my writing is for their platform, this writing is just for me and those who care about me)
• Figuring out if I can write on a deadline (done and yes)
• Figuring out if I can write about something I’m not 100% knowledgeable in, with research (confident, but I haven’t pushed that envelope too firmly)
• Organizing my finances (started and still hating)
• Organizing my home (started and fairly excited but mostly overwhelmed)
• Starting a Wellness Recovery Action Plan, which is basically a “who-to-call and what-to-do” in a mental health emergency, like if I couldn’t make decisions for myself (started and using but haven’t made much progress, however, I have made some great friends)
• Figuring out what “copy writing” is and if I already know how to do it (asked and answered, whether or not I explore it is a whole different ball of yarn)
• Establishing myself as “a writer” in my head (harder to do than you would think but I think I’m getting there.

Looking back over these achievements, I feel like I’ve come a long way. But the amount of ideas my mind has exploded with over this past month of mania has expanded my view of what I am capable of, therefore opening me up to more options for the future.

No matter what, I feel like, with the amount of inspiration I’ve received, my future is secure. I know I’ll be able to write a book someday, I just know it’s not right now. But the fact that I can see the journey, without judging it, is what has made the biggest difference for me.

Melanie McKinnon is a wife, mother of 3 plus 1 in heaven, and a barre fitness instructor. She loves writing, Diet Pepsi, hugging her kids and dating her husband. On her blog, Melanie Meditates, you will find subscription box reviews, her experience with anxiety, depression and loss, stories about her life as a mother, and some tips for maintaining sanity. She hopes to encourage and inspire anyone fighting a daily battle.

You can follow Melanie on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and her personal Blog.