I was JUST thinking about asking if you had any mental health/bipolar support groups nearby, I'm so glad you are going to one! Therapy (with a good therapist who is responsive to your needs) is really important, but I've been a part of mental health groups that have been extremely helpful, especially when you can't afford therapy. Not only is it comforting just to talk to people going through similar issues, but sometimes one person giving you just one different way of thinking of an issue, or providing you with just a certain type of support, can mean a lot. And the great thing about groups is that when you are new, they don't expect you to contribute a lot at first, they know you need some time, sometimes a few weeks, before you feel comfortable opening up. Which is a very different experience when you are seeing a new therapist.

One thing I've been trying to tell myself when I'm depressed, is that I will accomplish one small thing each day. I spend so much time focusing on what I'm not doing, what I'm not achieving when I'm depressed (very easy to do when you have a go, go, go personality) that I lose sight of the fact there are small things I do achieve each day.

The day before yesterday it was putting together food in the crockpot for dinner, baking some cookies, and I signed up for this Orlando training course - my husband and I are trying to get a home-based travel agency off the ground. I didn't do any of the training, other than watch 5 minutes of an intro video. There were 1001 other things I could have done, need to do, but I had to pat myself on the back for doing those small things. And I don't work a full time job outside the home, you deserve a round of applause just for getting up and doing that, even though I know you overwork yourself with it. But you just listed 3 things, that's already 3 days of accomplishments. Actually adopting a cat should count for at least 3 week's worth of a pat on the back. .

If you like to cook, just spend 10 minutes looking at recipes online one day. Eventually you'll find a food blog you like and can follow to read their posts as your one accomplishment for the day. I have saved hundreds of recipes I will never make! But since I love to bake, just looking at recipes is nice. Some things I will try, most I won't, but it doesn't matter because it was a positive activity, that calmed my mind even for just a few minutes. Like you said, baby steps.

I hope these things you plan to do will be helpful. And if you don't accomplish something for the day, there is always tomorrow. The point is to make it a goal you work towards. Hopefully I've been helpful, during the few minutes of clarity I have today, they don't happen often! Lol

ETA: I went to an emotional, yet helpful therapy session today. Plus I pushed myself to watch an episode of Mexico Life I had on DVR from months ago, and now I know a tortilla press will change my life. May not even make it through the rest of the episode, but I still accomplished something.