I haven't succeeded in life with bipolar. My symptoms showed up at least 30 years ago. My relationships failed because I was bouncing around too much. When medicated, I was a zombie and lost time. My career job for pay was basic...

Yes, I had some short-term projects that went well with hypomania. But I have numerous unfinished projects that I started in a blaze but got distracted and didn't finish.

I have come to a place of acceptance of my BP situation in the past. Today, I try to nip hypomania/mania in the bud before it gets totally out of control, but I had a hypomania bout in December-February that I am still picking up the pieces from. It is a case that I live alone and no one else was negatively effected, so at least I didn't mess up others lives, for which I am grateful.

BP is what it is. I am grateful for this forum and the responses of others to this thread because I see that I am not the only one who has had difficulties with BP.

I am also grateful to have learned enough about my BP to see it for what it is and to have more empathy for others and their struggle. BP has also taught me lessons of humility. Markers of a successful life in the conventional sense are wealth and fame. But gratitude, empathy, and humility can be markers of success in a nonmaterial way...

Best Wishes to All!