getting manicky or just being me?

Been really creative in my cooking past few days... which i used to fo when manic.

Also been really elaborate with my make up more then usual.... like multi colored eyeshadow that includes fuschsia... worn to work.

I am somewhat full of energy,not sleeping too much...

The thing is... i can control myself,i can stop my thoughts from going where i dont want them and i am not anymore angry at the world then usually.... i havent had a real episode in loooong time.

Not sure if i should get alarmed or just let be and not overthink...

When you say energy what exactly are you doing? When I was manic I was giggling and jumping in circles spinning over and over.

I pace a lot, multitask, and act silly.... joking and such. I would love to actually spin and make dance moves... but that would be too weird.

It's not weird if you're me lol

I'm in a similar space right now. It's so hard to tell when a good mood ends and hypo begins! Let's hope for both of us that we stay just in a good mood.

If there is one thing I've learned from all my reading, this forum and exposure to different people with this illness, it's that it presents differently in all of us. I do tend to dress a little different when manic and have gotten my fair share of stares from it, but at the time I liked the outfits and didn't care. I don't know what manic looks like for you because I don't think I've seen it and I feel I need to see people in person and in action and for a long period of time before making such a call. If you are worried, telling some loved ones and erroring on the side of caution is never a bad idea in my experience. Good luck and I hope you are just happy and that it continues for a long time. It's the good times which help us get through the bad times so enjoy yourself within reason.

It's hard to see the difference between "yourself" and "manicky" because bipolar is wired into our brains. I don't think of it as like a separate thing from who I am. It's my natural state. The meds just help me live with it. But this is the time to pay attention and get someone involved who sees you daily. You could be at the beginnings of hypomania. I get silly and humorous and creative for sure. But it doesn't stay like that for long before I get angry, intense, rambling, and so on. If it were me, I would enjoy it while it lasts, but double-down on the self-care.

I am in a similar position, wondering if I am moving into a "mixed" episode.
I ask others to tell me if/when they see certain signs. Those closest to me make good sounding boards and can help with recognizing early signs, although they can also be wrong (there is no impending episode).

Difficult to know for sure, until we allow time to pass.


WC

My people are often wrong and so am I. It makes it hard but at least it's something. My people are the smartest people I know so most of the time they are a good gauge but not always. ((((Hugs)))

I think sometimes the hypo makes me think, "OMG I've rediscovered my true self! This is who I am! "
Then I fly away like a delusional little balloon.
Elsa's advice to check in with loved ones is the best thing you can do. They notice before we do that something is off. Check in, but keep enjoying yourself while you are still safe! Cooking and fun makeup sounds great!

I do the cooking thing also. If I started to do the makeup, you'll know I'm over the top.

Once I thought "omg. I've discovered the secret that ties my life together!". Hypo? Manic? Dunno

I am just at that point. I am communicating a lot, I have thousands of new ideas, just thinking about moving to an artist community where I won't have my own room, to engage in polyamorous relationships and so on and I just feel liberated and like "Wow, that is who I was all along", and that may be, because I have always been different, but I am just not quite sure, because I will go bubbling along, super convinced of what I am saying and I sleep less than usual and have this "ball of happiness" as I use to call it pounding in my chest and stomach. Not quite sure, I enjoy it a lot but am afraid to hit the ground afterwards.

AND I am dancing through my room ALL DAY.

Well, I seem to be still just in... slightly good mood (with twinges of irritability, but that's cause everybody around went effing retarded).

I don't really have anybody to ask. My good friends think I am just "special" and that I am always weird.

I haven't felt like that in long time... and I really still don't. I am just bit more daring, but it might be recovering from that long dragged on post-summer blues. Than again, I might never be fully okay.

IMO, it's not a bad thing being strange & giddy, as long as you're not hurting anyone else or yourself. It sounds like you're enjoying yourself, so don't overthink this & just enjoy the ride for now. Idiots have a way of making one irritable from time to time, but keep an eye on that one. Have fun.