I can only guess at what normal is, because I believe I was born with mental illness.

Normal means well to high-functioning. For example, one sets his/her sights on college, achieves the grades to be accepted into college/university and is able to attend classes, do the work necessary in order to graduate in a timely manner. Find a good (pay and fit) career and along the way have a family that functions well practically and lovingly. Buy a home and a car that is a decent new or late-model vehicle (because you can afford to have at least a decent standard of living). A well-balanced emotional life...not terribly over-sensitive, rejection-sensitive, no rage issues. To be able to sit with friends and discuss adult things like mortgages. Yearly vacations and a week-end away now and then. Going out to dinner and a movie and being able to afford it. And so on. Basically, the American dream. Just a "normal" life.

Not having to be an under-achiever, working for far less than I am innately capable of because I cannot awaken in the morning due to being in either a severe state of anxiety or totally doped up from meds. And being able to work only p/t because I'm so emotional and hyper-sensitive and am afraid of conflict or rejection or the slightest bit of criticism. Somehow I managed to successfully raise my two wonderful children. The one great accomplishment of my entire life.

This is such a pathetic post, really. It's only part of my thoughts on normal. And I wish it wasn't all about money. Anyway, just throwing some thoughts out there.....