This marks 25 years since being diagnosed with Bipolar I disorder. After I was diagnosed, I was told I would never function fully in life and would be permanently disabled. Sadly, for many years, I believed this narrative. Thankfully, I have conquered so many of my own challenges and fears. I have learned new habits and ways of thinking, that have helped me to gain confidence. Every arduous step has led me to become a stronger human and rewrite what it means to live with a mental health challenge.

It has taken immense fortitude to keep going, especially when I had lost all hope, and didn’t think I could survive another day. I was alone and isolated myself from others, because I thought I was so different that no one could understand me. I had been treated poorly, purely because of this label, and that caused me to shut down and not live my life. Having a mental health issue caused shame and secrecy. I was paranoid leaving my house, as if everyone knew, I was living with this disorder.

I fought the stereotypes and found the silver lining. I worked hard to finish my schooling with honors, find employment, and do the things most people take for granted. This brought meaning and purpose to my life, which was extremely important to me. I have been able to give back, by helping others, while working within the mental health system. I gained a master’s degree in counseling psychology. I am a licensed therapist and became the director of an outpatient mental health program. I am most proud of my resilience and persistence, because that is what led me to where I am today.

Immerse yourself in your creative passions, if you don’t think you have any, keep searching. A routine may sound boring, but I’ve found consistency can be very grounding and a stabilizing force. Having good sleep hygiene, eating healthfully, incorporating self-care, and overall well-being is good for your mind, body, and soul. You are not alone. Join a bipolar support group and connect to others with lived experience, find other mental health resources, or read some autobiographies of those who have thrived with bipolar disorder.

Mental health stigma is out there in the world, so shatter it, and make it a point to fight the internalization of that type of negativity and bias. You are still you, a beautifully unique person. It won’t always be easy, but it is your opportunity to navigate and choose how you want to live your life. It’s not about having no emotion versus having very intense emotion. it’s about managing the extremes, so it doesn’t adversely impact the quality of your life. Don’t give up on yourself, keep going, and continue to pursue your dreams and goals. Your life doesn’t end here, you have a meaningful existence. This is where your new path begins.