Quote:
Originally Posted by BirdDancer
Most have likely heard of "Activities of Daily Living" (ADLs) and "Instrumental Activities of Daily Living" (IADLs). If not, find them described at ADLs and IADLs: Complete Guide To Activities of Daily Living - Kindly Care. All are quite basic, most or all of which we can and do manage, even during bad bipolar episodes. But then there are other activities healthy people see as basic. Here I'm thinking about working at a job, taking proper care of children, some socializing, exercising/eating at least minimally well, exhibiting mostly appropriate behavior, and being able to have some fun and concentrate, when really needed, etc.
I know that many of us here do struggle with some of the above, including one or more ADLs and IADLs. I know many here are on disability, but not all. Sometimes I ask myself if I pushed a little harder if I could do more, "under the gun". Sometimes I try and succeed. Sometimes not. Sometimes efforts to take on one little extra is destabilizing. It's a bummer to compare yourself to others! Not to say other "mentally well" people don't also have to push push push in life. I know limits/capabilities vary, at times.
My questions are:
How are you doing with the most basic stuff (ADLs, IADLs) and the others that most "mentally well" consider normal basic functioning?
Are there things you think you could push harder to do right now?
If you have doubts you can push harder on some things, what are your barriers?
Should you give something up to make life easier?
No need to answer all, if you choose to respond. |
Thanks for this post BirdDancer. It can be a bummer to compare ourselves to others. I try to do it infrequently and focus my energy more on self improvement. Comparison helps me when I am in a rut and out of ideas as sometimes we need to mimic the successes of others to find our own.
I do well with all of the activities mentioned in the link you shared. I am grateful that when I am well none of these things are a challenge. Like many here there was a time when I was not well and I required assistance. I am grateful this is not the norm for me and I am humbled and have deep empathy for those who need help.
Yes, there are things I could do better right now. I have a list of so many wonderful opportunities that it can be difficult to choose sometimes. I try to follow a value chain as well as my instinct as to where to focus my energy. I've been doing this much more recently. I was 'hibernating' a bit and I've become more creative. That seems to ebb and flow for me. I'm trying to get better at listening to what I need to stay healthy while I push myself to grow.
I do have doubts. I sometimes have a lack of faith and trust and and a fear of risk that holds me back. I'm working with these concepts to find greater joy. My holistic health is of the utmost importance to me and I'm trying not to cross any lines that would break me down to states I have experienced when I was unwell.
I try not to look at it as give something up and frame it more as 'what abundance do I have that I can freely offer?'. When a system is working well it does not require sacrifice. Participants give and receive freely with love.
Just my take. Thanks for offering an opportunity to respond.
