[Vita]

I do not feel great at the time. Not really worth mentioning, only a bit tired in mind and body. Maybe a little moody, but probably within the normal range whatever it is.
I do not know.
I have had this since my teens, and had well defined ups and downs. Until three years ago I thought it was within the normal range, and I coped.
Now I feel maybe overly aware of my mood. Maybe it is time to redefine normal, or euthymic - whatever. How - where do I get a referenca.
There have been some in-betweens that disappearance with meds revealed. Like irritability and emotional vulnerability and rumination. But the mood?

[venusss]

Part of healing is to learn to be comfortable in wider emotional range. You accept these moods and feeling for being there, but in the end, they do not matter that much.

Btw, when one feels "tired" their body still has 70% of its energy left, so do not worry too much about pushing through sometimes.

Normal does not really exist, I believe. All that matters is how you feel comfortable. Do not analyze too much, it can trigger the mood in whatever direction.

[Capriciousness]

I often wonder about this too. I feel like I'm learning what this "range of normal" is. It is hard for me to describe what I mean but I'm all confused about it too.

[Tsunamisurfer]

Originally Posted by Capriciousness

... I feel like I'm learning what this "range of normal" is...

For me, normal is what many would consider mildly hypomanic - feeling good, energetic, singing away, productive, patient, but not prone to anger outbursts or impulsiveness. I was like that yesterday and the previous day, after only 3 hours of sleep. Now I'm feeling "normally" tired instead of manic. (let me blame it on the lithium LOL)

[Vita]

Most of my life I have considered my mood normal, although covering a really wide range. Then it appeared that most peoples moods does not. Neither do mine, but with meds.
All right, I'll work on discovering my no-alarm-range.

[ladyjrnlist]

I consider my moods normal when I can be rational and/or functional.

[Vita]

This time my mood was as normal as can be, it was a normal reaction :
Looking at my calendar I realized the past weeks have been specked with extra activities. Intersting an exciting, and exhusting. Still, althogh tired, I did not feel like going to bed earlier.
No good for bipolars.
Next I gave in and got some more sleep. That sure helped a lot!

[vjdragonfly]

I can relate to your wondering about what is normal. Is it a level mood even though we are not happy? Is it the line just above depression, but way below manic? I have been trying to figure out if the way I feel now is suppose to be normal, even though I am not happy. I wonder if it is my life that causes me unhappiness and not being BP. So wouldn't it be normal if that is from your life?

[Polly23]

To Venushalley, thanks so much for saying that being aware of your own wide range of moods is part of the healing. I believe mindfulness is going to be the key, meds too of course. I am trying to find the med for me. Even though this is lifelong for us, at least we can all know that bipolar can be controlled...and healing is a great word!!!!