Three Travel Tips for the Holiday Weekend

It’s a three day weekend here in the states. Many people are traveling out of town or have events on the weekend.  On the other hand, there are those who are lonely and wish they had something planned.  Holidays can be tough for both sides. If I’m manic, I’ll just go have a blast no matter where I am. I’d walk up to strangers and she what they’re doing. If I’m depressed, all I can think about is that other people have a lot more fun than I do. They go to picnics and see people and throw Frisbees and have a wonderful time. I’m sure I’m missing out.

Of course this is a great illustration that my moods are not my own- and that I need to get focused and create my own moods. I do this by planning ahead.

Here are some tips:

1. Time Zones: If you’re traveling with a time change: Start now to get on the new time. This may mean going to be earlier or later. This has made a huge difference in my traveling over the past few years.

2. Travel Companions: I always tell others how travel affects bipolar disorder so that they can help me look for signs that I’m getting ill. People are always really helpful. If you haven’t told people, it helps for you to have a list of the signs that you’re getting ill! It’s the small things you have to notice- such as partying a lot more where you drink and stay out all night long after others have gone to bed. Tell your travel friends that this is not what you want to do and have a plan before you go out!

3. Time Out: I can get really overstimulated on a vacation. If you’re going to Disney World for example, it’s fine to say to others- I’ll just let you guys go on Space Mountain for the fifth time, I’m going to sit at this café and read. There are many things you can do to create successful travel- if you click on the travel tab to the right, I have a lot more ideas.

I keep saying I’m going to write a travel book! I will have to do that before the winter travel craze!

Julie    

Why is it so hard to just do a one hour presentation?

I am going to the Oregon coast tomorrow to talk with law enforcement agents about bipolar disorder. I have always wanted to do this- so it should be exciting right? Well, if you have bipolar disorder you know that the one hour presentation is not the problem-  it’s the stress of thinking about all of the planning that has to go into it! I have to meet a friend who is driving me to the coast. This means I have to get there at a specific time. What if I can’t sleep? In fact, I know I will not be able to get to sleep on my own.  When should I take my Ativan? Will I get enough sleep as I tend to wake up too early when I travel.

Where are my books? Do I have copies in my car? No. That means I have to go to my book distributer and get a few. Do I have postcards that advertise my books? Yes. They go in my car.

I have my friend’s address. I have to write it down so that I can use my GPS to get there. Will we make it to the coast on time? Of course we will- but my mind still worries about it! We are meeting a wonderful friend for dinner. But what time will we get back? I will miss so much work time! (Of course I would not be working at dinner time anyway!)

OMG! Is this ridiculous or what? ! I will love giving the presentation – I always do. The police were extremely important in helping me get my partner Ivan into the hospital in 1994. It will be a pleasure and honor to speak to them and help them understand this illness more.

I will be fine- but it always amazes me how travel does this to those of us with bipolar. So if you care about someone with this illness- you now know that we are not weird- it happens to the best of us!
I have a plan to take care of all of this and will keep you posted on the people I meet!

Julie

Well, I knew that San Antonio, Texas would be fun, but I had no idea it would be so beautiful! My friend and I walked all day and went to the Alamo this afternoon. I was not sick today!!! I am thankful for that. I guess this is the first day in a very long time where I just had fun – without worries.  It is possible. When I get a glimpse of how life can be when I’m well, it makes me want to work that much harder to make it happen more often.

I hope y0u’re doing well. The holiday were really tough for me- but they are now finished.

It’s a new year! 

If you’re depressed right now, I have a lot of tips under the depression category to your right. This can be such a tough time of year. Suicide peaks at this time- so we all have to be careful. If you’re suicidal, it’s because you have bipolar disorder.  I get suicidal all of the time- because I have bipolar disorder.  I just want to say that there is a lot of hope. I am in Texas. I was not sure when I would be able to travel again, but here I am. Sure, I’ve had trouble sleeping and done a bit of crying, but I am having a good time.  Things get better.

Julie

wow.  I always write about preparing for travel way ahead of time in order not to get sick on a trip. Well, I did what I could and have still had a tough time. Not bad though! I’m visiting a very good friend in Texas. Her family is so stable and happy. It makes me see that I need more stability in my life in Portland. Things are so different back home. My family is often unhappy and it’s stressful. I do what I can, but I’m still around it because I love them! Also, I realize I am alone too much. Being around people helps me- so what can I do to be around more people? It’s a constant struggle as I can’t work in an office setting! I am going to create a plan for this in the next few weeks.

And finally, how can I get my sleep regulated when I am going to a party tonight for New Year’s where I know I will be up at least until 2? This is a big problem for me. I have to think of something now. I love parties, but I really, really need to be in bed earlier as I have to drive to San Antonio tomorrow.

I want to be someone who can travel the world and not worry about mood swings and meds and sleep!

Julie

Well! I never thought I would be so well that I could just get ready and get on a plane to Texas without stress! But it’s happening. I leave tomorrow morning for San Antonio where I will see a dear friend and her three kids for New Year’s Eve! As you know, I wrote a lot about having plans for holidays this year- and I did it!

Then I go to Jacksonville, Florida to see another dear friend. I will work on a proposal for my new book while she is working. We will then have fun on the weekends. I have to rent a car and get around by myself.  I have done all of my own packing and I am actually getting through today without stress- I have to be at the airport at 4AM tomorrow!

Why am I telling you all of this mundane stuff?  Because just a few years ago none of this was possible. i had to travel with my mother or a friend due to the mood swings. I’ve spent many years getting stable enough to travel by myself. I used to do it all of the time, but that was usually when I got manic! Now that I’m better, all of the stress I used to go through when I traveled just seems stupid! It’s just packing getting on a plane, right!  Wrong.

For those of us with bipolar disorder, travel can be a huge trigger.  I decided that I wanted to travel like a ‘normal’ person- so I figured out what caused the stress and took care of it.  I can now travel! I have a lot of blogs on this topic with tips on how I got well enough to get on a plane without too much stress.  It has not been easy at all, but the work was worth it.

Now, maybe I can finally try out for a musical???

Julie

I will post blogs in the next few days and maybe even get my act together and add some pictures!

I’m speaking at the NAMI Oregon yearly conference tomorrow. I have a class in the morning and then will speak at the luncheon.  The most difficult part of all of this is getting my books, post cards order sheets and travel stuff. I worry that I won’t be able to sleep and that I will get overstimulated. Yada, yada, yada. If I let my mind go no this way, I will go bonkers.

It makes a lot more sense to actually load my car ahead of time and print out what I need. That way I can get to bed early and be ready for the drive. This is not a bipolar thing- it’s a normal speaking thing. It becomes a bipolar thing if I don’t take care of myself now. So I’m going to!  It’s human nature that we often worry more than we actually do things. It will only take me a few hours to get ready. I have already spent a few hours this morning worrying about getting ready. That is just dumb!

Julie

Hi, I’m up early here on the west coast. I go to Virginia tomorrow and spent the last three days switching over to east coast time. It really helps.

The traveling makes me think of my meds. Here are some tips on travel and meds:

- Put your meds in three places.  On your body- purse, pill box in wallet, etc.

- Put meds in your carry on- I have enough for the trip in my bag- it’s about 15 pills.

- Put meds in regular suitcase.

That way I have meds no matter what happens. I can’t miss doses, so I overprepare when it comes to travel.

Julie