Well I'm mixed and unfortunately, according to the pdoc, am always mixed unless I'm at a crushing low or manic high (either state needing hospitalization). I take it day by day. My meds have been the same for quite some time, but the Seroquel dose gets adjusted if I start becoming more obviously hypomanic or the Wellbutrin if I get very low. I've definitely had to lower my expectations. I've had to accept I can't work. Sometimes I do big projects and then get overwhelmed (like organizing my office, but I started it when I was a bit hypomanic) and now don't have the energy to continue (though I am hoping once my iron anemia is corrected, that will be helped).

One thing I try to do now is set a goal of one small thing to do each day. It doesn't have to be big. Maybe paint my fingernails, organize one drawer in the kitchen picking the one I most feel I can cope with, vacuuming but just set the goal to one room, and if I do more, that's great. Sometimes it's to bake a dessert from a mix. Sometimes, I do Netflix or Amazon Prime streaming or reading, depends on my concentration level. I make new music playlists on Spotify. I play mindless, easy free games on my tablet like cross-stiching games, word search, hidden objects, paint by number, etc. Once the free stuff runs out, I either start over or find another similar free program. Often I have the TV on, usually to Investigation Discovery (maybe it's because I like to read mysteries) but mostly because most of the shows are narrated. Sometimes, the History channel or PBS. Listening (occasionally watching) these narrated shows while I do mindless tablet games is calming to me.

Self-care is good too. Stretching, bath in Epsom salts, trying to use the relaxation techniques my T has taught me.

If I could get specific help for myself it would be to have H plan the menu, buy the food, and cook half the time. That would be more work and harder for him, but it would reduce my stress so much. I try to explain to my 11 year old daughter (who knows exactly how to goad me on and push my buttons) that certain things or not doing things she knows need to be done (brushing her teeth, getting dressed, etc.) just make my mood spiral out of control. It's hard though as I don't think she completely gets it, and I haven't explained the full implications of being mixed, what it's like to her. H isn't much for psychiatrists and therapy, so he doesn't talk to my daughter about it. Personally, if I could find a friend in real life who lives in my town or neighborhood, that would be fantastic. I have no friends close by.