Here are my New Year’s Truisms for 2011

What are your plans for tomorrow night? I hope that you can be with people, have fun and know that you are important to the world. I certainly want that for myself. Depression doesn’t want that for me – so I have come up with 2011 trusims that I am going to repeat to myself for the next few weeks- because of the pressures of the new year- because I turn 47 in a week and because I want 2011 to be better than any other year of my life.

1. Dates don’t matter. 2010 and 2011 are the same thing. We just label them differently.

2. Age doesn’t matter. I am the age I am. Nothing will ever change that.

3. What happened last year is done- either positive or negative- fantastic or terrible. It’s done.

4. Life can [ Read More ]





Posted on December 30th, 2010 | Tags: , , , | Category: About Julie

How do you make a bad situation into a good situation when bipolar takes over?

Julie powers all of New York with her bipolar tears!

These are the signs I’m in a situation that’s bad for my bipolar:

1. Trouble sleeping. I actually always have trouble sleeping, but in these situations I can’t sleep at all without sleep meds.

2. Crying and crying and crying. The waterfall I wrote about before.  Crying a river.  My eyes are all red today from crying all day yesterday. It’s not that I want to cry- and it’s not that the situation even warrants that much crying- it’s just what my depression does in stressful situations.

3. Feel hopeless and trapped. My brain starts to say terrible things about my past and my future and then I feel I have to get out of my present situation and just run away. I used to do that!

I’m in Michigan visiting my dad. The trip [ Read More ]





Posted on December 29th, 2010 | Tags: , , | Category: About Julie, Bipolar Treatment Tips

BP Magazine Blog is posted!

The Three BP Hope Magazine Bloggers!

I write a separate blog for the wonderful BP Magazine. This blog is very personal – this week is no exception!  It’s called:  Seeing a fight, going into shock and then getting really sick…

That may peak your interest. I’ve  had a tough few weeks for sure.  If you go to the blog, please do leave a comment. This is a new blog for the magazine and we want to get it to as many people as possible and your comments really make a difference. I of course love your comments on here as well!

Click here to read the new blog

There are a few of us who blog- I love their posts as it’s such an insight into the world of others [ Read More ]





Posted on December 16th, 2010 | Tags: , , | Category: About Julie

My self perception is not the world’s perspective!

Lately, I’ve had quite a few people tell me how their perceive me. It has been quite eye opening. Here are a few:

Bad Ass, Commanding, Golden, Professional, Self Assured, Intimidating.

Are you kidding me? That can’t be how I’m seen because that is certainly NOT how I see myself. I see myself as someone who just has to get out of bed and hope the depression will not dog me all day! I see myself as someone who wants to be great, but often feels it will be impossible due to this illness. As you may know if you read my work- I’ve stopped feeling sorry for myself regarding bipolar disorder. It’s simply my life. All I can do is deal with it.  But it’s always there!

But Bad Ass! Really! On my Harley or something! Haha. It’s such a dual existence. I often go places and put my head in my journal and write [ Read More ]





Posted on December 14th, 2010 | Tags: , , | Category: About Julie

Do you read BP Magazine?

I hope so- it’s an amazing and fun resource. Ie. Serious and yet realistic articles from real people affected by the illness. Lots of family and health care professional information as well. The magazine has started a new blog. I am one of the bloggers. I did my first one on Thursday. The site is really beautiful and easy to navigate. I highly recommend a subscription, especially if you have an off or support group related to bi-polar disorder.  The first blog was similar to the blogs and newsletters from BipolarHappens.com.  The future entries will be far more person and about the feelings I experience when I get really sick.  Like this weekend!

I’ve been a columnist for BP  Magazine for over five years.  I love the magazine.

Here is the link to visit the BP Magazine blog: http://www.bphope.com/bphopeblog/

The BP Magazine [ Read More ]





Posted on December 13th, 2010 | Category: About Julie, In the Media

What is it like to work with Julie A. Fast???

During the time that I have been working with Julie, Ive seen the challenges faced by someone with Bipolar disorder.  I’ve witnessed the day when it was difficult for her to sit still and even focus because her thoughts were bouncing everywhere. It was hard for me to know how to help her get refocused. She is teaching me what I can do to help.  I’ve also been a part of a morning that was a “girl to girl” chat just to clear the thoughts so that a work focus could be resumed and maintained. 

 There is so much that can be learned from working with someone who has bipolar illness.  The discipline of taking care of yourself and planning in detail what you intend to do have been a good addition to my daily routine. There is also a time to be flexible and work back around to the needed focus.  I’ve also learned to watch my [ Read More ]





Posted on December 1st, 2010 | Tags: , , | Category: About Julie
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