If you have to clean your house and it feels overhwleming then just do one room and praise yourself for getting it done.
If you’re manic and you want to clean your whole house, well.. just make sure you don’t throw everything out!
If you’re depressed and you have the money to do so- hire someone to clean your house.
If you’re manic and you’re cooking 10 dishes at once…. make sure you don’t cut off a finger.
Many people with bipolar disorder live with mild to moderate symptoms that can control behaviors in a negative way- but these are the symptoms you can overcome- you just have to be aware of your patterns when you’re manic or depressed and do the best you can to prevent disasters.
You can clean when you’re depressed- and you can keep the cleaning (and cooking) safe when you’re manic.
Julie
Good tips… I find that I get most of my housework done when I’m feeling well… and not as much done when I’m having mood issues.. I’ve decided to just live with that.
That’s an interesting poll on the holidays 🙂 Holidays suck, not just because they are about getting the family together (which can be hard when you don’t have a normal family) but also because of the shorter daylight time… The dark evenings really bring me down. But sometimes the holidays are also happy, and exciting.. especially if it snows! I guess it’s the usual roller coaster for me.
I think I would leave the country if I were a bit wealthier 🙂
HB
Hi HB,
You say all of this so eloquently- it’s so true that it’s a mixed bag when it comes to the holidays. I think there are a few things that make a difference:
A loving partner
A loving and non argumentative family
Enough money to give gifts- if that is important to you
Time off from work to celebrate
This is what we all need in life!
I am planning for my holidays now believe it or not! I have plans for November and hope to visit Texas as I did last year during New Years. I have set times I spend with my family and am very clear that I need a lot of sunlight during December as I am in Portland, Oregon.
Yes, it’s odd to plan for the holidays in September, but it has made such a difference in my life.
I’d be interested to hear from others how they plan ahead for the holidays.
julie
Yes, I think those things do make a big difference! I have a loving partner and that does make a huge difference.
I’m going to try coping with the darkness by getting outside in the morning every day… I usually walk a mile or so, and I’ve read somewhere that the exposure to sunlight in the morning can be helpful. So I’ll be giving that a try! I’m in Washington State, so our daylight time is similar to where you are at…
Thanks for all of your tips and encouragement that I get from your blog 🙂
HB