Nov 28 2008
A new perspective on limitations caused by living with Bipolar Disorder
Black Friday is the one day of the year where people will get up hours before dawn to buy a few items on sale. Some people even camp out overnight to make sure they get these bargains. Years ago, I enjoyed this. Today I cannot deal with the crowds, the pushing and shoving, or the high stress atmosphere.
My husband and oldest daughter love it. They get up around 3:30 and head to the stores to wait until the sales begin. Today was no different. I make a list of the items that we want and they go out and get them. I wake up to breakfast being brought to me in bed. What could be better?
There are a lot of things that I once enjoyed that I now avoid because it causes too much anxiety. I used to worry over these limitations and how much my life was impacted by it all. I can’t do that either. I have learned to let it go and move on.
In doing so, I have found new things that I enjoy that actually helps me to lessen my stress. Last year, we bought a fifth wheel camper and I love the peacefulness of going camping with the kids and the dogs. It helps me unwind and removes me from the daily grind without placing me in a crowded environment. I also enjoy photography and it helps me to disconnect from the rest of the world and meld with the parts I am enjoying.
There may be things that I can’t do, but it has led me to the things I enjoy most in my life. Sometimes limitations are simply opportunities waiting to be discovered. That’s how I look at things now. I have to or it would all drive me crazy. It’s funny how a change in perspective can make such a difference.
