Driver Needed - Steering Wheel Not Included!
Ticket please.
Thank you.
Hey, wait a minute.
Mine looks the same as everybody elses, except there are no disclaimers and no hazard warnings.
No, 'Beware of..
...
' No, 'It may cause..
...
' No, 'In case of emergency, please..
...
' No map.
Nothing.
The only thing my ticket reads is, 'Driver Needed - Steering Wheel Not Included.
' The ride begins.
Pay careful attention to what you pass.
Try to remember what you see.
Don't sweat what you miss (you'll have plenty of chances to catch it next time you circle round, trust me).
Look for signs.
Since manic-depression is an emotional disorder, the first signs you are going to recognize will come in the form of feelings.
Write them down.
Draw them.
It doesn't matter how, just do it.
You have to make them visible.
By doing this you will translate your feelings into something tangible, something you can see.
Something you can see is way easier to manage than something you feel.
Just try driving blindfolded and see how far you get.
Do not beat yourself up and do not assume how you are feeling is because of your disorder.
Your feelings are not always health-related.
Let that sink in.
All it really means is that you need to remember you are a human being.
Today I am a bit sad, down and have less energy than normal.
My cool, creative neighbor and Friday night 'Fringe' hangout buddy is moving to Kansas of all places.
Boxes are piling up outside and the chances of me ever going to visit the land of Oz are slim to none.
It is very overcast and dreary outside, not a typical Florida day.
And I didn't listen to my own advice and go to bed at a decent hour.
If I wasn't paying attention to the signs around me, both mentally and physically, I could very well spend the day frustrated and confused.
But instead, I know exactly why I feel the way I do.
I know all these things are affecting me, one of which was my own fault.
I also know that I am human.
An easy way to write your feelings and identify your emotions is to give them a number.
This is what I do, keep it simple.
Do not focus on the number or feeling itself.
Focus on getting it down for now.
This record will become very powerful in managing your health.
For one thing, it is a paper trail.
You won't have to remember everything and cause yourself more stress.
If you decide to see a doctor, there it is.
You may even use it to file for disability benefits.
Whatever you decide to do, you will need a basis for your actions, the ability to effectively communicate and defend yourself.
Having an ongoing record and getting things on paper will help you prove your case.
If not, you leave yourself wide open to the help someone else thinks you need.
It will also save you time, energy and money.
Remember, it's about management.
I proudly confess that I share the record for the most different United States theme park front row roller coaster rides with my mom.
Eighty-seven to be exact.
And I've got plenty of proof! Therefore, I am an expert in getting off roller coasters.
Let me tell you, when you ride that many of them, they become somewhat predictable.
And this is exactly what your goal should be.
Predictability leads to stability.
This starts with YOUR record!
Thank you.
Hey, wait a minute.
Mine looks the same as everybody elses, except there are no disclaimers and no hazard warnings.
No, 'Beware of..
...
' No, 'It may cause..
...
' No, 'In case of emergency, please..
...
' No map.
Nothing.
The only thing my ticket reads is, 'Driver Needed - Steering Wheel Not Included.
' The ride begins.
Pay careful attention to what you pass.
Try to remember what you see.
Don't sweat what you miss (you'll have plenty of chances to catch it next time you circle round, trust me).
Look for signs.
Since manic-depression is an emotional disorder, the first signs you are going to recognize will come in the form of feelings.
Write them down.
Draw them.
It doesn't matter how, just do it.
You have to make them visible.
By doing this you will translate your feelings into something tangible, something you can see.
Something you can see is way easier to manage than something you feel.
Just try driving blindfolded and see how far you get.
Do not beat yourself up and do not assume how you are feeling is because of your disorder.
Your feelings are not always health-related.
Let that sink in.
All it really means is that you need to remember you are a human being.
Today I am a bit sad, down and have less energy than normal.
My cool, creative neighbor and Friday night 'Fringe' hangout buddy is moving to Kansas of all places.
Boxes are piling up outside and the chances of me ever going to visit the land of Oz are slim to none.
It is very overcast and dreary outside, not a typical Florida day.
And I didn't listen to my own advice and go to bed at a decent hour.
If I wasn't paying attention to the signs around me, both mentally and physically, I could very well spend the day frustrated and confused.
But instead, I know exactly why I feel the way I do.
I know all these things are affecting me, one of which was my own fault.
I also know that I am human.
An easy way to write your feelings and identify your emotions is to give them a number.
This is what I do, keep it simple.
Do not focus on the number or feeling itself.
Focus on getting it down for now.
This record will become very powerful in managing your health.
For one thing, it is a paper trail.
You won't have to remember everything and cause yourself more stress.
If you decide to see a doctor, there it is.
You may even use it to file for disability benefits.
Whatever you decide to do, you will need a basis for your actions, the ability to effectively communicate and defend yourself.
Having an ongoing record and getting things on paper will help you prove your case.
If not, you leave yourself wide open to the help someone else thinks you need.
It will also save you time, energy and money.
Remember, it's about management.
I proudly confess that I share the record for the most different United States theme park front row roller coaster rides with my mom.
Eighty-seven to be exact.
And I've got plenty of proof! Therefore, I am an expert in getting off roller coasters.
Let me tell you, when you ride that many of them, they become somewhat predictable.
And this is exactly what your goal should be.
Predictability leads to stability.
This starts with YOUR record!
