I have a difficult time finding anything with some consistency. A hobby helps. Photography in my case. When I cycle I either feel disinterested in what I'm doing or I become overly critical, so there is a downside. I'm sure the medication is helping some but I get caught up in my own thoughts and it is hard for me to calm down. Right now I am without a therapist, and I am pretty much friendless right now. I feel a little bit of security and anonymity posting in the forums because I can share how I am doing without judgment and get a sense of community as I discover there are others out there facing many of the same demons.

I have to acknowledge the irrational thoughts are there, and that at times in my mind I will make them rational through a lot of over analysis. What I try to do is take the excess energy and stress brought upon by my bipolar and put that into other activities. Most recently a new job search. I can't tell you how many times I edited my resume until I felt it was just right. But that sort of attention to detail and tenacity to get it done right probably wouldn't have existed if I just stuck in the same patterns.

You can't ignore, and you cannot substitute. But, I think, you can divert and channel that energy into something greater. I'll be the first to admit it doesn't always work, but when it does I feel very satisfied.