I'm actually curious..

Everyone here has their own "needs" for support . For example, I enjoy reading other people's posts because I feel comforted knowing that I'm not the only one struggling out there. I might not reply to everyone's posts (because I just don't have the cycles -- no one does), but I do read a lot of posts if I have the time. And in a funny way, I feel supported when I support other people. It's like "we're all in this together" (and no, I'm not quoting that sh#tty "High School Musical" movie.. lol).

I try to make a lot of fun/interesting threads so that we can all relate to one another in some way. I think it's so cool when we can say "yeah, I'm the same!" It makes me feel less alone. (IDK. Maybe I'm a total fricken weirdo.)

So I ask: What about this forum do you find supportive?

[Unrigged64072835]

I read all the posts and I find it comforting that no matter how bad a day I'm having there's someone in the same boat as I am. It's also interesting to see how other people are coping (or not) with their MI.

[hopeless2015]

All the people who are here. Someone always pops in with kind words or advise....what a great bunch we have here

[BipolaRNurse]

I love it here because you all "get it". Nobody but another bipolar understands how screwy this disease can make us, but also what it feels like to be stable (at least for a little while). I like knowing I can come here and vent, or help support another member who's having a hard time of it, even if it's only a hug.

[whoamihere]

I love knowing that I'm not alone. I don't comment often but I do read the threads and just knowing that there are other people out there who understand is comforting.

[JustJace2u]

I love reading and learning from other people who've had more life experiences than myself when it comes to MI.

[NoIdeaWhatToDo]

I love how supportive this group is. I also really rely on this forum to be able to say the truth of what's going on for me - I can't do that in my real life without either negative repercussions or hurting/scaring people I love. But it can consume me if I don't 'say' it. And when I say the truth here, people understand - this group supports and relates in a way no one in my real life can. And that gives me strength.

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

I love it here because you all "get it". Nobody but another bipolar understands how screwy this disease can make us, but also what it feels like to be stable (at least for a little while). I like knowing I can come here and vent, or help support another member who's having a hard time of it, even if it's only a hug.

Yes this ^^^^

[wildflowerchild25]

Everyone supports me even if my issues are not bipolar related. Like all the grief issues surrounding the death of my husband. Everyone has been so helpful and supportive even though that has nothing to do with BP. I love how everyone always has something positive to say. And I get good advice when I'm in a crisis. Sometime I need that push to call my pdoc or go to the ER and you all give me that push. I really appreciate it!

[Bigmike727]

Knowing that there are other people like me who have had similar experiences really. There is no support group on my island. Back when I used to live in Nassau the capital there was a group therapy project run by my pdoc called The Family just meeting and talking sharing experiences etc. On this island, unfortunately there is nothing.

I like the balance of this forum.

while we all give each other serious support, we always end up having fun- and I love that. that we can give each other serious advice, but it's not so serious we can't have any fun

also I think everyone on here is polite, and very accomadating. I've not once seen an argument break out here, or someone getting mad at someone else, anything like that

I also like how we get to know each other on a more personal level. for example, the name thread someone started- now we're not just usernames on the screen, people actually know each other's actual names- so can refer to them by name in the threads if they want to

[OctobersBlackRose]

That you all are supportive and always have good advice. And that I'm not alone in this, there are others going through similar things, and that makes me feel better that I'm not alone.

[p00dlez]

We spent the day cleaning out the cabinets in the kitchen and then we came across the cabinet where I kept all my goat stuff. Things like wormer, and brushes etc. I used to have a mini farm and kept dairy goats.

It brought back a lot of memories especially of my favorite goat Milly. She was my heart, I loved that goat so much. Out of all the animals of my life she was my favorite. We talked about how much we both miss her. To my surprise when we were done my husband started searching the web for lamanchas the same goat Milly was.

Well we talked about getting goats again and then we talked about maybe starting up the mini farm again. It was hard work but it did give me a purpose and gave my life meaning. I was surprised that my husband was even entertaining the idea of starting up the farm again since originally the whole thing was my idea and I didn't think he liked it.

So anyway I think this is a good idea and he does too. Since I cant really work it lets me contribute to the household by growing food and raising livestock. I am pretty excited about having fresh eggs again. Store bought eggs suck. Good food might even improve my health.

Also it lets me focus on something besides having bipolar disorder and my other illnesses and do something positive with my life. I don't do well with people but I do awesome with animals. I also made all my mistakes the first time around so I have the experience to do really well this time.

We are skipping a few animals this time. No sheep and no pigs. Sheep are stupid and pigs are disgusting and I don't want either of them again.

We are so far going to do dairy goats, chickens, both the egg and meat kind, rabbits, quail, turkeys and probably throw in a few ducks. We are also working out the logistics for having a mini cow (a dexter). I am excited about that one as I have never had a cow before.

So I have a lot of planning and work to do with the house renovations and if I ever hope to get this farm up and running. I would like to at least get the goats and chickens in the coming spring so I have my work cut out for me getting ready for that. I also got several greenhouses to build before spring. So if I don't come around as much as I have I am probably off doing all that stuff.

Anyway hugs to all and I will still come around when I have the time. I am so excited about all of this so I am off to get started researching everything and planning out my land.

[Gabyunbound]

I don't post as much as I'd like, but I like reading what's going on with others, how they're coping, what their experiences are like. It all makes me feel less alone in this. There's so much support here, and wisdom as well. I'm stable at the moment, but if at some point I weren't, I love that there are those who would get it, I really wouldn't know where else to turn; I don't have anyone in my life who has BP, who would truly understand. Even being 'stable' in the context of BP is something most people don't understand, but you guys do: the gift of it, but also the fear that something will happen to shred it into bits. Thanks everyone!