Yep I'm fully employed. I can't imagine not being employed, and I grew up with pretty strict expectations put on me so I've always known self-control.

Emotionally, I like knowing that NO ONE else helps me with my life. I like knowing that everything I've bought, and everything I've done, is because I've worked my butt off to get it. I like having total say in my life and finances - I would be a complete wreck if I couldn't afford to live without assistance. I'm lucky enough that I don't experience mania or psychosis, which is a huge help for me.

I also find my job is helpful to me. It's actually my strongest anti-suicide plan... because there's no way that I could inflict that experience onto a group of kids (I'm a teacher). Also, when I'm depressed the kids sometimes say or do things that will cheer me up or at least distract me. And when I'm hypomanic they're a riot and I can use a lot of my energy up doing things with/for them.