I’ve been this way as long as I can remember. I find it most difficult to cope with people who are unwilling to be accepting themselves. Understanding how to deal with difficult people is what is most challenging for me. People are unwilling to accept what I have been able to overcome. They appear unhappy with my decisions but don’t make any civil effort to understand. Living completely symptom free is my goal but my depression keeps me from being my best self. Even on my worst days, the pea is still only a pea. My patience will keep me coping so long as I feel I need time to cope this way. Nobody will ever change my mind that way. I’ve learned that the least effective coping strategies are the ones chosen to appease others. The most difficult part of living with any kind of mental illness is putting yourself first, above the dependencies of others in need. Often that means compromising other things and relationships that are important to us. But what is meant to bee will bee. That is the kind of woman I am. Deal with it.