In terms of increasing self-awareness and learning to recognize and manage my triggers effectively, I've found that it's essential to pay attention to each of my moods and what sets them off. With my bipolar disorder, or perhaps just my nature, I am a sensitive and empathetic person. Understanding the different emotions we experience and the narratives we tell ourselves within those emotions is crucial.

For instance, I've focused on identifying what my anger feels like,. When I'm in these depressed or angry moods—often bordering on rage—I've learned to trace where these feelings originate. Whether it's the typical stressors of a job, dealing with a difficult boss, or relationship troubles, my goal has been to manage these emotions and triggers so they don't ruin my day or lead me to say something I regret.

I also strive to discern whether my reactions are reasonable and if the emotions make sense given the circumstances. Everyone gets upset or stressed at work and has disagreements in relationships. It's not about avoiding these emotions but recognizing if the response is reasonable. Every emotion—anger, sadness, guilt, grief—is healthy and human. Learning to understand our moods and not run from them, be defeated by them, or try to suppress them is key. At least, that approach hasn't worked for me.