This is my opinion based on my own experience and on what I have researched: for the successful treatment/management of BP, you need meds, therapy and a strong support network. You need all 3 of these things for the treatment to be effective. If the only reason you don't want to take meds is because of the way you feel on them ie not yourself, that is just because you are new to all of this and you haven't tried or found the right ones for you. I've been on the roller-coaster for years trying to find the right meds and doses and have tried many. Some make me feel empty and zombie-like. Some, not at all. You know when you find the right meds when you wake up one day and you just feel complete clarity and normality. Being medicated doesn't mean you have to walk around feeling wasted and not like yourself. When you are on the right ones and the right dose for you, you will know it. You will feel like yourself, your "good" self, without the neuroses/bad thoughts/feelings/behaviours/symptoms etc. So I'm probably repeating myself but I want to make you understand that if you are feeling not normal, knocked out, wasted, zombie-like etc when on your meds, then you are probably on the wrong one for you, or too high a dose. It is all trial and error. It can and does take years to find the right combo. BP is the hardest psychiatric condition to treat because finding the right balance to treat both highs and lows is so extremely difficult. You need to be assertive and proactive when dealing with professionals about your meds. You don't have to accept what they tell you as gospel. You can keep going back if you're unhappy with something you are taking or think you need a dose change etc. My doc gets annoyed but I'll go and say "not happy with this side effect, find another med for me please". He gets frustrated but he understands that I work in a very demanding job and have particular personal requirements about how I feel on meds.
Anyway, I hope this helps. Good luck, take care and keep us posted on your progress and any developments.