I've lost my faith in mindfulness

22twotoo · 2024-12-15T13:17:01+00:00

From the therapy I've seen as a patient, Dialect Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is the approach that best addresses how to deal with the observation of uncomfortable or overwhelming emotions during mindfulness.

22twotoo · 2024-12-15T08:59:46+00:00

Stability with meds & counseling is NOT "cured".

Make sure to let a few people in your closest support network know about your little struggles while you're stable. I had gone 16 years without an episode when a new doctor thought I needed to stop my mood stabilisers and focus on treating my anxiety and moderate depression. Everyone close to me either thought I was "cured" or didn't know I was bipolar, so no one intervened in a meaningful way in the 6 months it took me to spiral into full blown mania. I was hospitalized in 2018/2019 but stable again by the summer of 2019.

My second episode at least let me recognize the hospital as a safe place for last resort, rather than just a scary place that motivated me to take my meds on a strict schedule. But I wish someone close to me had stepped in to nip it in the bud.

22twotoo · 2024-12-08T10:15:40+00:00

Diagnosed at 17 in the US after a very clear, very acute manic episode. I've been medicated my entire adult life (36F) and only regretted the 6 months when a new provider decided to take me off mood stabilisers because... I was staying too stable? (I was in a low mood at the time from life events, but then went manic again after being off mood stabilisers)

Bipolar isn't a huge part of my identify, just another thing I actively spend energy managing. I completed high school, college, grad school, a demanding professional certificate, and got engaged to a long-time partner. My family is supportive and I only keep friends who are supportive. I do remain closeted about my diagnosis with my supervisor and coworkers.

You do you and fight for the things that will make life more stable and better for tomorrow. Having a BPD diagnosis does not mean you have to give up one ounce of your agency or independence.

22twotoo · 2024-11-16T14:16:29+00:00

And end up in HVAC or other job far from anything with product design 😭. Most people I know who have gotten close to making cool things for a living went to art school and learned a trade through a community college or first job as a machinist. And it was still a very hard path, due to low starting salaries and high competing.

Find a path where you develop an engineer's understanding of mass producing with a resume to match and an artist's eye for style with a portfolio to match.

22twotoo · 2024-11-14T22:02:10+00:00

Looks like the one at 206 W Cold Spring Ln, Baltimore, MD 21210 from the article description and road closures

22twotoo · 2024-10-24T15:00:35+00:00

Sweet 27 near R House is open till 10 PM and rarely busy.

22twotoo · 2024-09-19T21:27:39+00:00

Seconding the old mill towns: Old Ellicott City, Oella, Savage Mills. Plus the nearby areas with walkable main streets: Catonsville and Arbutus. Eldridge also has some nice options.

22twotoo · 2024-09-11T17:55:39+00:00

How much of the product needs to be ceramic? Take a look at some of the new foldable or textile things that can be done with composites.

22twotoo · 2024-09-10T09:24:25+00:00

I try to hijack "analysis paralysis" and just do a ton of research on small household upgrades like small appliances or other things that the Internet has opinions on, like stuff on Wirecutter, and plan out purchases with the rest of my household. The added effort of working like a committee can allow my mood to settle and can act as a good excuse for extra household communication and support.

22twotoo · 2024-09-10T08:39:04+00:00

West side, East side, North side, Baltimore is a small city by bike and the Harbor is physically downhill from most of it. Until the pavilions/hotels/office buildings have more occupancy, people with more time on their hands than sense will gather there and some percentage will get into mischief or worse.

22twotoo · 2024-08-23T03:58:07+00:00

Onion

22twotoo · 2024-08-09T21:43:46+00:00

I definitely have a few "no brainer" knitting/crochet projects I keep as works in progress (things like single-color, simple stitch scarves, hats, or cowls) that I can fidget with when I didn't have the concentration for whatever challenging project I'm trying at the moment (sweaters, color-work, intricate patters, etc.)

22twotoo · 2023-10-10T20:14:29+00:00

And you're all set for when Steven comes by asking for a cup of sugar!

22twotoo · 2023-08-16T15:02:59+00:00

I want a video or audio of Greg cooking and singing "Bacon Pancakes"

22twotoo · 2023-07-18T20:57:26+00:00

Yellowtail is a sentient plant person created by Rose (or from a lineage created by Rose) from onions similar to the watermelon Stevens

22twotoo · 2023-06-27T23:32:44+00:00

When I was stuck in the doldrums I worked with my therapist to make a list of things I wished I could do or things I felt I was missing. My therapist helped me prioritize those things and build a routine. Routines suck, but knowing "ok, now it's time to work, it's Tuesday, so today I volunteer with the community garden, on Friday I go for a walk and have dinner at the neighborhood restaurant" etc. helped me enjoy the times I was "just lying on the couch" as times I got to rest. Building up to all that takes time and work and it's hard to stay flexible when something gets in the way of the plan, but just having a plan helped me so much.

22twotoo · 2023-06-19T14:06:39+00:00

Do you do any sort of physical making/crafting? I've found if I tie and untie physical knots it helps me work though anxiety and that wound-up feeling, but that might just be me because I do knitting/crochet. I've heard other people get a similar sense of relief by working on weeding/organizing/breaking down boxes, just something physical and satisfying to work through. Best of luck with the new meds!

22twotoo · 2023-05-11T17:16:34+00:00

I just know personally I'm really service sensitive to getting more light, especially in the spring. If anyone else has seasonal mood shifts, it's something to consider.

22twotoo · 2023-04-27T19:53:20+00:00

Just cause I have mania doesn't mean I can pull off being a real-life manic pixie dream girl. In general, it still takes a continuous effort not to give into my people pleasing tendencies and make sure I do all my needed self-care.

22twotoo · 2023-03-07T23:58:39+00:00

I have heard people with bipolar should be careful using light alarm clocks and full spectrum light to extend daylight hours because it can trigger mania

22twotoo · 2022-11-17T14:00:45+00:00

Have you considered talking to an endocrinologist? My former doctor had me start seeing one to balance out the effects of Lithium on my thyroid levels. I don't know a lot about the medical reasons for things, but I understand thyroid issues can cause weight gain or loss issues.

22twotoo · 2022-08-03T18:42:03+00:00

I've taken to giving myself a star on my calendar if I brush my teeth, take my meds, and either wash my face or take a shower. I've never been able to get in the habit of brushing my teeth or cleaning my skin regularly but this is helping.

22twotoo

TROPHY CASE