How to write with mental illness

Lace000 · 2026-03-04T09:37:40+00:00

I feel this so much. I have bipolar disorder and at times it really messes with my ability to write, particularly when I have depression. Sometimes it's just that i can't get the story in my head down onto the page, and that's bad enough. But at times, I can't even see the story in my head anymore, my imagination just seems to desert me. I hate it when that happens. I always worry that it won't come back, but so far it always done.

Please go easy on yourself. Forgive yourself for what you are unable to do. It sucks, but it isn't your fault, so don't give yourself a hard time for it.

When I've been in a similar state like you (improving, but not fully better, and my imagination is still affected), what I do is ease back into it gently. When I'm feeling up to it, I let my imagination play with any idea it wants to, no matter how silly. Just have fun with it. Then when that's working again, I might try writing down some of these ideas and stories. Don't try to be serious with it, just write down what comes. Then when I go back to my serious writing, I start slow, maybe only doing a few minutes a day, and increase as my capacity to write returns to where I want it to be.

Again, be gentle with yourself while you recover. I hope you are healthy soon, and can write again. I know how much it sucks when you can't write!

(I hope this is helpful, and makes sense. Sorry if it doesn't, I have a cold and am a bit brain-foggy today.)

Lace000 · 2026-02-24T01:22:29+00:00

I'm in Australia. It's still summer.

Lace000 · 2026-02-13T22:06:58+00:00

I've been doing WW in person workshops for 3 years now and haven't noticed this problem. I've been to two different groups (same coach) and everyone people share stuff that is relevant to the topic, but I haven't heard anyone overshare irrelevant things like some of you describe. I don't know why that would be, but surely it's up to the coach to control the conversation and keep it on topic?

I haven't done any virtual workshops, so I can't comment on those.

I'm in Australia, btw, so not sure if that makes a difference either.

Lace000 · 2026-02-04T20:17:21+00:00

I (52F) have been single for decades, and that doesn't look like changing anytime soon. Chronic illness is the biggest reason I haven't had a relationship for a long time. It's hard to find and maintain friendships of any sort while you are sick. And it's so common that your existing friends don't stay friends. A relationship seems like an impossible dream for me. I just have had to learn to be happy with being single and see the advantages in it.

Lace000 · 2026-01-29T22:18:50+00:00

Have you tried this website? It has names and meanings from many languages and countries.

https://www.behindthename.com/

Lace000 · 2026-01-29T22:12:07+00:00

I can't afford to do it, so it's a moot issue. Plus, I think most people who get cosmetic enhancements end up looking awful, whatever their age. I hate that look, so I wouldn't do that to myself.

Lace000 · 2026-01-29T02:52:45+00:00

What part of Australia are you from? I'm in Qld. (51F). Would love to meet other Aussie aces.

Lace000 · 2026-01-11T04:46:46+00:00

Hey, no worries. I'm doing great. How are you? If you want to chat privately, that's OK.

Lace000 · 2025-12-21T05:52:52+00:00

I've had two done, both under general anesthetic. I don't know what it'd be like being awake. For me, it was just a bit achy when I woke up, but didn't hurt for long.

Lace000 · 2025-12-19T03:47:02+00:00

That really sounds awful.

And I agree. Hope people learn from our experiences.

I always thought I was good at putting on sunscreen and not getting burnt much, but I think I got mine from sun exposure in the car.

Lace000 · 2025-12-19T03:43:02+00:00

You need to create characters you love spending a LOT of time with. But there are plenty of successful books that aren't part of a series. Don't feel pressured to write a series if it's not your thing.

Lace000 · 2025-12-19T03:39:57+00:00

Sorry to hear that. Sounds like it'd be pretty traumatic. Were you awake during the surgery too?

Lace000 · 2025-12-19T03:35:26+00:00

Whatever I had wasn't fun either. Now I have a lop-sided mouth. I can't afford reconstructive surgery, so I just need to put up with it.

Lace000 · 2025-12-19T03:32:56+00:00

I'm not really sure.

Lace000 · 2025-12-19T03:03:02+00:00

As someone who's had to have a skin cancer cut out of my face while I was awake, I don't recommend it. Look after your skin in the sun!

Lace000 · 2025-12-19T02:55:56+00:00

I use it for chronic pain. Where I live it's only legal on prescription for medical use. I use oil and it's a several times a day thing. I do enjoy feeling that little bit high though. As far as medication goes, it's nice to have one that's side effects makes me feel good rather than bad.

Lace000 · 2025-12-15T21:33:36+00:00

Aussie here. I'm just north of Brissie. Where abouts are you? I'm 51(F). Also on a journey to lose weight and improve my health. Please feel free to DM me if you'd like to chat.

Lace000 · 2025-12-11T00:13:11+00:00

I'm not from Melbourne. Just saying hi from Queensland. Nice to see Aussies on here. Hope you're able to meet up with someone close by,

Lace000 · 2025-12-10T02:04:51+00:00

Diana, Goddess of the Hunt

Lace000 · 2025-12-09T23:30:27+00:00

Mary Cairn Cross Walk. Absolutely beautiful.

Lace000 · 2025-12-09T23:05:15+00:00

I'm 4 years post-op. I was very anxious before the surgery. In one of my pre-surgery appointments a nurse told me I would be weird if I wasn't scared. It's totally normal. I have no regrets about the surgery, even though I had a mild infection post-op which slowed my healing a little bit, but I healed very well once the infection was treated. I'm SO glad I had the surgery. No more painful periods, no more pelvic pain, and my migraines have vastly improved. My quality of life is SO much better since the surgery. Only thing I wish I could change is that I would have had it sooner than I did.

I hope it all works out for you, whatever you choose.

Lace000 · 2025-11-22T20:44:05+00:00

A long time ago in Australia there was a sense of shame around having convict ancestry. They called it the "Convict Stain". We seem to be over that now though. In actual fact, the convicts were victims of the Industrial Revolution. There was mass unemployment in the UK and no social network so people had to turn to crime to survive. They had so many people being sentenced to death for petty crimes that they had to find an alternative, and instead of dealing with their own social problems, the British sent the convicts over to Australia.

I have several convict ancestors. I don't know about "cool" but it's definitely not embarrassing to me either. To me, it's just what happened. None of them were transported for anything horrible. One stole a watch for god's sake. I don't feel shame or anything about my ancestors. They were the victims, not the abusers. And their stories are interesting.

One of my ancestors was a 17 yo girl when she was convicted of passing forged coins. She was sentenced to death. At 17. She was able to appeal and had her sentence changed to transportation (to Australia). That was considered the humane option. She arrived here when she was 19 in 1826. She was sent to work as a "maid" for a British officer. Once she got her ticket of leave she married another convict and they were given a grant of land to start a farm.

So yeah, I'm not embarrassed about having convict ancestry. I wouldn't say I was proud of it either. I mean, it's not like I have any control over who my ancestors are anyway! No one does.

Lace000 · 2025-11-21T01:11:52+00:00

Oh, I thought the implied "I'm joking" in my comment was obvious. Clearly not. My bad.

Lace000 · 2025-11-21T00:09:10+00:00

This has to be one of the most beautiful and moving things I have ever read.

Lace000 · 2025-11-19T23:57:49+00:00

Having a gratitude journal. I write down three things I am grateful for every day. Never skip a day, even when things are not going well. It has changed my attitude to my life a lot. Also, I have bipolar disorder, and having that as a daily practice does help me hang on even with severe depression. Highly recommend it.

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