I agree that you need a system in place, this is true if you are on meds too, but doubly important if you are not. Severity well.. I have bipolar 1 with psychosis Nos, pretty sure most people who hear my dx would think I need meds. My manic phases even on meds last a few months, I also get mixed moods that last months. Personality plays a role I believe here too, as well as severity, as well as insight. Things we choose to do while manic for example in part comes down to personality and other personal traits.

If you do want to try the med free route, and no one know if this is right for you, you should get a lot of tools and skills so that you are prepared to handle the ups and downs. There are so many things we can do to help ourselves. Like routine, sleep, nutrition, but there are also many other skills like mindfulness and meditation, yoga, perspective, ect ect...

I think if you want to be successful without meds it will take a lot of work and time building a system for you that works. But you won't be able to develop those things very well if you are dealing with such bad mood problems in the meantime.