[Vaporeon]

The New England winter so far has been bitter cold, dark, and depressing and it's only January 1. I'm seriously considering a road trip to Arizona to alleviate some of my suffering, but I'm worried that I'll run out of money and people who know me will wonder whether or not I've gone into mania. I don't feel unstable - I've been taking my medications as prescribed and never miss a dose - and it sounds like a good idea and could be fun. I'm not planning on leaving until the 15th or a little later. What do you guys think? Is a road trip a bad idea for someone with bipolar? Thanks for any input you can give me.

[Naynay99]

Hey. It sounds like you are actually planning this, not just jumping in the car and going (more my mo), so it doesn't sound impulsive at all. Your reasons sound logical and quite sane- I live in the NE US and it sucks here right now. Cold and snowy and miserable. Arizona sounds like a nice break. I will say that as a single female, I do feel like other people judge me when I travel alone. I don't see anything wrong with going away somewhere on my own if nobody is free to go w me, but solo travel at least for a woman seems to be taboo for some, and I admit I have lied to ppl before and said I was going w or meeting up with a friend. So those close to u might not get it. Just be prepared for that.

If you have the flexibility work wise and family wise and $ wise I say why not temporarily get the hell out of the cold! I wish I could. But if your concerned about $ I would preplan and make sure you can swing it. Gas $ isn't cheap. But there are cheap hotels or campgrounds or even hostels that are affordable if u are not too picky about where you sleep. Just watch your surroundings and stay safe. I think in my old age staying somewhere nice has become more impt to me but in my 20s I didn't think twice about staying somewhere crappy. Or maybe u have a friend in the area who will let u crash?

Not t sure how long u r looking to go away but for me the travel cure usually works temporarily, esp when it takes me out of the miserable dark winter into sunshine. I'm thinking I should plan an upcoming trip myself for feb/march so I have something to look forward to to survive winter which is my toughest time of year. The seasons definitely affect me badly.

I truly believe traveling and new experiences is good for the soul. Then again I love road trips- I love driving in my car blasting my favorite song and stopping in some random town just bc a sign looked cool.
Just don't expect being in a different place to do miracles- unfortunately we have to take ourselves with us everywhere we go. Sadly one can be miserable in sun as well as cold. But imo it's better to be doing something than nothing. Idk. Sorry my reply sort of became about me, but if I could miss work and had a dog instead of cats I would pack him in the car so quick and get the hell out of here for a while. I live in the wrong climate for my moods but my job sort of
Trapped me here. I wanna move to ca when I retire someday.

Anyway- Take it eAsy. Enjoy ur trip if u go.

Yes, Massachusetts is cold as f_ck right now. It's killing me! All of this freaking snow and negative degree weather!

I agree with Naynay that your idea sounds logical, not impulsive. Sorry that I can't add any more useful comments. Just saying that I agree.

[Slightlydelusional]

I dream of taking a road trip but cant due to money and dont feel stable enough with my addiction. If your stable and its a planned out thing Id say go for it. My main dream is to travel both nationally and international again, but I wont do it until 100% stable and have the funds.

[Wild Coyote]

It sounds like this is well-planned and not on impulse.
go ahead! I am jealous! I am in New England and would love to go to Arizona to get out of this weather.

Enjoy your trip!

WC

[Crookedspin]

Originally Posted by Vaporeon

The New England winter so far has been bitter cold, dark, and depressing and it's only January 1. I'm seriously considering a road trip to Arizona to alleviate some of my suffering, but I'm worried that I'll run out of money and people who know me will wonder whether or not I've gone into mania. I don't feel unstable - I've been taking my medications as prescribed and never miss a dose - and it sounds like a good idea and could be fun. I'm not planning on leaving until the 15th or a little later. What do you guys think? Is a road trip a bad idea for someone with bipolar? Thanks for any input you can give me.

Hey Vaporeon--can I put in for a vote of seeing whether there isn't something short of a drive to AZ that might be helpful? I say this for a couple of reasons--if you're not sure whether you might run short of money that's sounding pretty risky and likely to leave you with problems post-trip (don't know about you, but any money anxiety really stresses me heavily) Sounds like you're going to have to endure at least two weeks of this, and this really bad snap is supposed to last one more week I think, so... maybe that makes finding another solution that much more sensible?

A thought--here in the NY metro area we have these big Korean (that's how everyone refers to them; they are based on set ups that are popular in South Korea) spas that have saunas, whirl pools, etc. Kind of like an amusement park for somatic thrills. These are totally OK places, not shady, clean enjoyed by men and women and kids, etc. They tend to cost $40 or so for the day and are cheap because they are high-volume places and are really crowded on weekends (they're not spas in the deluxe sense) They offer massages and stuff like that for extra fees. I've used a place here as that kind of mid-winter break. Here's a link to a place that has locations in NY and TX for example and I understand many major metro areas have them now https://ny.spacastleusa.com/

Again, I don't mean to be a nay-sayer and if I'm being no fun, feel free to flip me the bird and/or ignore me . You know better than I do what you need and what is manageable. Just a couple of possible flags for me in what you describe.

I say you only live once so it's okay to get a little crazy sometimes. If you are not sure you have enough money, post pone it and save up a little longer. Just knowing something fun is coming can really lift your mood.

Also do you have a SAD lamp? They are amazing for the long dark winters. I sit in front of mine and its like being at the beach. Love it.

[Naynay99]

Hey. While I stand by most of what I said above, the above poster has a point- u could take a vacation without actually going all the way to Arizona. (I know for me a day spa wouldn't be a good enough substitute but the idea of something less far is a viable option). And make sure you really do have enough $ as you never know when things will go wrong with a car, etc.

It's not Arizona, but Driving to Florida is only about 18 hours from NY (idk where u r from). I am not a huge fan of fla but it is warm. Also I know u had your heart set on driving but I would look for cheap flights too. Ny to arizona is like a 35 hour drive. That's 4-5 full days of driving.... Idk if that is something u are comfortable with.
If it's just u or one other person, driving may not be any cheaper than flying. Plus u have to factor in hotels along the way. I would search and see if you can't find a closer and cheaper option that is still sunny and warm if $ is a real concern.

I think whatever u do, if u take time to plan it out first you will see if it is reasonable for u time wise and budget wise. I don't want to discourage you, i believe we always grow and learn from traveling, but it can be stressful when things go wrong (and they will go horribly wrong sometimes- that is part of the package). Just Make sure u are up to it.

AnywAy thanks for posting this bc it reminded me i need to find a warmer climate to escape
For a few days. I will prob fly to fla and stay with my aunt so not too exciting a trip but there are 3 more months of winter. Take care.

[Pookyl]

Are you going on your own or with someone? I love a road trip and have gone on lots BUT I have always got my very sane and very responsible hubby with me ensuring that I take my meds on time and go to bed on time.

[Vaporeon]

Originally Posted by Pookyl

Are you going on your own or with someone? I love a road trip and have gone on lots BUT I have always got my very sane and very responsible hubby with me ensuring that I take my meds on time and go to bed on time.

I was planning to go by myself but I mentioned it to a friend and she wants to go to Arizona in March. Her father lives in the Phoenix area. I'm thinking this isn't a great idea, no matter what the situation is. It's a long drive from Massachusetts.

Thank you everyone for your advice and thoughts.

[Aviza]

Just make sure you tell people you will be leaving, where you are going, and when you plan to return. Than they won't worry so much.

[BipolaRNurse]

I just got back from a trip to the Caribbean and already miss it---it was sunny and HOT down there!

I don't see anything unreasonable about a road trip to AZ, especially as you aren't just running off without thinking about it. If you have the money and the time, go and enjoy yourself. I must admit though that coming back to the cold and dark sucks big time, so be prepared for that.

[Zigy]

I'd love to go on road trip. Arizona or Nevada would be my top destinations in Winter. Sorry Florida, but you're flat and boring.

But...

The last time I did a road trip I was anxious 24x7. Lucky it was only a week. I'll try again perhaps this summer. Good luck to you though. Road trips a great.