To continue celebrating our Two Year Birthday, we are running A Day In The Life series of all our Defying Shadows writers. We hope this encourages you as you get to know us better! Enjoy!
Name: Alex Hite
Mental Health Struggles: Bipolar 1 and Asperger’s
What does an average day look like for you?
It really depends on the day. There is no “average” day. Some mornings I wake up after 2 hours of sleep and ready to take on the world. some days, even after 12 hours of sleep, I have a hard time dragging myself out of bed. I don’t go to school or college, so I spend my days coping with my disorders. I will use creativity to express myself. Mental illness is keeping me from jobs right now, so I don’t work. I never know how a day is going to go, so I can;t say what a regular day is like.
What steps do you find help you when struggling with your mental health struggles?
I often talk to my parents and therapist along with building LEGOs and model cars.
How do you find your mental health struggles affect those around you?
It can be really hard for them. I can see the sad looks on my parents faces when I a in crisis mode. I see their confusion and overloaded moods. It is hard for them, and the rest of my family, but we work through it.
What’s one thing you love about yourself?
I have a really hard time finding what I love about myself, but I do like my creative mind, especially for writing.
What are five things you are thankful for (other than family, friends, food and shelter –home)?
- y animals that know when I am struggling and love on me even more
- Activities I like to do, LEGOs, writing, reading.
- Music. I don’t know where I’d be without it
- Breathing. It keeps me grounded and reminds me that I am alive and worth having lungs and air in my body
- Church. I love my church family and the Lutheran liturgy we follow
How has your life changed for the best from last year?
Last year this time, I was getting ready for college, and now I am out of it. This sounds like it is bad, but it is for the best, because I am getting the help I need.
What’s your personal motto?
Staying in one place might be comfortable but sometimes change can be the safer choice. (This is hard for me, as change is hard for me)
What song is most played on your playlist?
YOUTH- Troye Sivan
If you had to pick a character from a movie or tv show, who do you relate most to?
Brick Heck from The Middle
What motivates you?
My family is the number one motivator for me. They keep me going and help me stay strong.
You can follow Alex H on Facebook, Twitter and her personal blog.
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