I am currently going through a depression cycle and started up the meds again just because. The holidays is making matters worse because I'm single and cannot share these days with a special someone. Friends & family are wonderful and I'm glad for them. But for your tale I have been feeling the same thing.

Earlier this year I explored a job offer in Dallas and ultimately turned it down over the money they were offering. But it got me thinking about mobility options. I'm currently dealing with an issue with my roommate possibly bailing on me and leaving me with the lease, about 12 months of bad relationship decisions and several confrontations with friends that made me kick them out of my life. With everything mounted on top of each other I too have felt like taking off. How wonderful would it be to arrive in L.A. where someone I met in October wants a relationship with me! (true story) My family would be fine without me here but I have to stop and ask some questions.

1. Once I'm settled, will I miss my life back home? My friends & family? Old job? Am I just being impulsive? etc etc

2. Life is different in L.A., will I like it? Can I make it my home?

3. If everything goes bust can I move back easily? What about the cost?

4. What happens when I swing back to normal or manic stage? Will I still want to stay there or will NYC suddenly appeal to me?

5. What if I totally melt down and self destruct? What support do I have in a strange city?

I totally feel your sense of adventure and desire to pack it up and move. Perhaps a good way to look at it is what would you tell your son if he wanted to move and for the same reasons? What would your mom say to you? We are at the mercy of our moods which might send us in any direction the wind blows. Sometimes it helps to just put feelings aside and think logically about it. It's hard to do, very hard even, since I think bipolar folks put more heart into things than most do so our emotions really weigh us down. If the entertainment industry appeals to you, try looking into local venues first. Write short stories for a local paper or take up acting in an amateur theater. If you have a camcorder, consider creating Youtube movies with all the scheduling, directing and editing that's involved. Kinda of get a sample of what you're seeking in L.A. since it's so tough to break into that industry and see if you even like it. Hope that helps! - Jim