There is a lot written now that bi polar disorder has entered the mainstream mental health arena about all of the writers and artists through time that were bi polar and how they created in such angst that they did such things as cut off their ears or kill themselves leading a lot of people to wonder if you had to be crazy to be an artist at all. Can you be “healthy” and be an artist? Well, I think that’s not the point, not for me anyway. The point is that I believe you can be bi polar and create and have a happy life. I think you have to be aware, very aware, and take good care of yourself, and use those energies in a way that moves you forward. Within the confines of that hour I can be as flippin’ manic as I might be writing this story that screams to be born, but then… Then the timer dings, I save the document 56 ways to Sunday, I kiss a pug, and I go on about my life. Every single page that I write is an affirmation that I can do it at all, and that affirmation is something that is spreading through me and into dark corners that I thought would never see the light of day. I knew it before but I forgot. It’s writing I need. Writing will save my life.
I wonder if it’s possible to be grounded and manic at the same time? Because the physical details you give stand out for me and are quite endearing: the solar lights in the yard, the pug dogs. Whatever you do to get through the day is actually interesting to me, the pleasure is in those little details, no? and the pain is interesting too. Those of us that struggle with our own mental illness and/or living with someone with issues; we have to crate our own genre of literature I sometimes think. Can’t wait to read your first chapter. It takes as long as it takes. The point is for it to be nourishing to you and it will be nourishing to others. I swear!
Blessings to you, Denise “Rare Wonder” from WINS