1. I totally agree with you that small treats are important in life. Frequent small pleasures can be equal to the rare big one in various ways. I relate to some of your examples. Also, for me even some (not all) cooking/baking projects are among my frequent small pleasures. I see them as fun. Really, anything that makes me laugh or smile is a treat for me. I try hard to laugh by watching comedy shows or entertaining myself and Hubby with humor. He entertains me (and himself), as well. Nature, music, all kinds of things.

2. I must try harder at letting others help me. I'm not always good at asking for it, either. This had been an issue most of my life. In general, I tend to keep a figurative glass wall between myself and others, and operate in an independent world...a bit of an introvert who can seem a superficial extrovert, at times. I know the reasons, but that doesn't fully help. I have discussed this with my past psychiatrist, and most of the therapists I've had in the past decade. It's a hard "protective" wall for me to pull down. "Protective" sadly also means "limiting" to a degree.

3. I can't really complain about my current medication mix. I've been pretty darned stable for the last year, with only very brief hiccups. It is understandable given my stressful move to Europe...during a pandemic. I don't have any significant side effects from my current mix. I guess I could say my Seroquel XR makes it difficult to get up at 5 am, but big whoop! As for weight gain, it could be far worse. Frankly, it's highly likely I could have been the same weight I am now even with ZERO bipolar medications. However, I can't say this about side effects of other medications I took in the past. Like for your sister, Depakote was a doozy. I reached my heaviest weight ever on the combo of Depakote and Invega, with just awful blood work results. Plus, I nicknamed Depakote "Depressakote" because I had a horrible depression leading to ECT. Depression, itself, didn't help me with weight issues. Others were also real doozies and did me more harm than good, in various ways. It's been a journey! Improved coping skills helped greatly, too.

4. I try to live in the moment, but would be lying if I said I had no goals for the future. Definitely more socialization. Integration, in general, including new language learning. Something I push harder than my husband is to find a more long-term living arrangement. We are currently renting a house. I want to own one again, not only as an investment, but for the freedoms one has when owning and the feeling of truly belonging to a place. I'm pushing to start looking, but it is hard to push my husband. This stupid pandemic also continues to be a barrier.

5. It took a while, but I think I know most of my triggers. This knowledge has been highly valuable, especially since I've learned good coping skills to fight (and anticipate) them. Yes, sometimes avoidance is one, but then sometimes avoidance perpetuates problems. I'm definitely not 100% in control of everything that triggers me, but I give myself a pat on the back for what I have achieved. I also feel more confident in the present and do some planning for future stressors.