Dear ohlala,
Being a perennial student, I wanted to take a highlighter to all the above posts--so much wisdom! I don't know how long I've been bipolar, was just dx'd about 3 yrs ago, but I've been thought clinically depressed for 50 yrs & I've felt like I've been falling behind in life at least that long.
I have other health problems which also rob my energy, & I recently hired a wonderful young friend who I somehow knew would understand my need to help me clean out the clutter. I couldn't come on my healing quest with the house in the state it was in.
That was one of the best gifts I've given myself. She was a blessing, we became even closer, the place will be a true nest of comfort to return to, & I saved what energy I have for this journey.
Small steps? Tiny ones are to be celebrated, some days.
In my early days of alcohol recovery, my wonderful sponsor laughed away my terror at the thought of one entire day at a time, as AA counsels. "5 minutes," she would say. "You can call me then."
Thank god for small miracles too.
Hang in there, ohlala. Minutes build to years. Tiny steps lead to enormous journeys.
And we're here for the long haul. You too?