I understand that feeling that you haven't lived up to your potential. The fact of the matter is that sometimes our illnesses strip us of the potential for a time. It's not fair and it derails our lives, but it is what it is. When we manage to get stable, or stable enough, we are left with the tasks of putting our lives back together of pursuing dreams we had to set aside or pursuing dreams we hadn't thought of before. We have the choice of dwelling on what we lost, beyond a period of mourning, or starting anew.

I've decided to start anew. I still have thoughts that I am failure or feelings of envy directed to my friends and family who didn't have their lives derailed, but I choose to focus on what I am doing now, rather than on what I couldn't do then, because it makes me happier. I am 27 and I haven't graduated, it's been years since I was in a relationship and my social life isn't as busy as I would like it to be; but I am taking post-secondary courses, I am ready to get back into dating if I meet the right person and I am open to new experiences. I consider that success, especially since I am finally stable.