I was visiting a different site that attracts people with bipolar disorder, and there a lot of members post all kinds of photos. This one guy posted about how he looked when depressed vs. how he looks when stable and feeling good. He put two photos side-by-side. Honestly, in his later "happy" photo he looked a good 10 years younger.

I, too, remember feeling like I looked so much younger at a stage of happy stability after a long hard period of severe episodes. I even lost a good amount of weight. I remember feeling like I was in my early 30s again (or maybe I'll push it and say late 20s), even though I was 43/44 at the time. Unfortunately, I haven't been doing that well again lately and have gained a bit of weight. I feel like a frump. I definitely don't feel sexy and sassy anymore. Even when I do my best (on rare occasions) to really do some self-care, I still don't quite make it to that point I remember at 43/44, and I'm now only 2.5 years older.

I guess my point in posting this is to say that we can become transformed when well. Have others experienced this, as well?

Just as a note, when I do manage to do self-care I do feel and look better. It is helpful, indeed. But getting myself to do the self-care is so hard, even though I know in the end I am glad I did.

[Wild Coyote]

I am much more interested in self-care when well.


WC

[Moreta]

rn i look like a ****ing raccoon with dark circles around my eyes. When I feel well I have a whole face regimen that I do and sometimes even wear makeup. But rn I just don't care. I haven't washed my face in like 2 weeks, put any lotion on it, used any of my multiple face masks, or used my microdermabrasion stuff I have. Maybe I could buy a new face mask to try out so I can feel better or some ****. There's a Mary Kay one I want to try. I already have their charcoal mask. I have a bunch of Mary Kay stuff just sitting around that I spent $100s on. I really should use it. I probably look 40+ rn and I'm 33.

I've just been terrible about self-care lately. I'm even too embarrassed to say what little I've done. Tomorrow I have a psychiatrist appointment. I had intended to take a full shower and do some self-care today, but I didn't. My appointment tomorrow is at 11:30 am. I am pretty sure that I'll do something last minute.Or maybe I should just show myself as I really look on a regular basis lately.

[~Christina]

Self care is hard at times for sure.

I made a law for myself..... I shower every single day no matter what. Some days I hate getting in the shower but once I’m in there the water feels amazing.

I do not wash my hair daily as that’s very unhealthy for Hair.

I literally can take a shower from start to finish in less than 10 mins lol fresh jammies feel so good