[Goals2017]

So I’m struggling with my past bipolar episodes and moving forward with my life. For example I just got hired at a new job and I still feel depressed but I’m hoping that will change once the job starts but I’m a little worried about it. Another issue is my weight and fitness level. Before my last episode I was doing so well with fitness and lost a lot of weight, now after my episode I gained all my weight back and bigger then when I started last time. Overall I’m just an unhappy person and I know bipolar is the reason I feel this way and I hate that my life has turned out in this matter. I feel like I can’t handle the hardships of bipolar even though I’ve overcome it in the past this time I feel beat down and tired. Can anyone else relate and maybe give advice thanks.

[Guiness187055]

I can relate. I live in the past all day everyday so I feel your pain. I don't have an answer on how to let my past go. I guess that's what therapy is for it just didn't work for me.

I wish I had an answer for this.

every day I live with childhood trauma, family's hatred for me, my past suicide attempts, all the oppotunities I turned down/ things I couldn't do, I try to do things such as remove objects that are related to that memory, and I have moved several times away from certain areas, but it creeps up on you all the time.

my guess is that I could go and live in jamaica and still be troubled by my past.

wonder if I'll ever let it go

another thing with me is that things follow me around.

abuse, for example. just because I don't live with my family anymore, I still get my fair share of abuse by people

how can you forget the abuse if it just continues

[pirilin]

Living in the present. And dreaming about the future.

Cheers.

Move 2 states away, cut off everyone in your life family and friends, live a few years unburdened and do your life and recovery...then maybe get in touch back or stay free. I did this for 20 years. Worked wonders.

Or...

Just take one thing that you would like to change and work on it, piece by piece, one at a time.

Forgive yourself...it’s not your fault for having this condition.

Find a local support group.

Find employment willing to take in account of your disability.

Quit pressuring yourself and accept what happens happens.

Mindfulness exercises help. So do choosing some projects to concentrate on. As for projects, you'll surely have a good amount in a new job, but pick an easy and enjoyable one for your free time.

Many of us struggle with weight gain, especially around the holidays and during certain mood episodes. There are times I just resolve to work at not gaining more (or much more) in the time being then when the time is a bit better, concentrate on losing. It's possible your new job will occupy you enough for that to happen without major effort. When you get home, if you have a healthier focus to relax or cope, it's best.

[Aurelius710]

I always liked the Stoic way looking at things (hence my Marcus Aurelius-based user name), because it was about what you can and cannot control. The past is already written, the future has yet to be written and the only story you can write in the present is your own.

I guess if I had any "easier said than done" advice, recognize that the past is in the past and focus on the present. Maybe one of your new co-workers works out regularly and is willing to take you along? Maybe (if you haven't set it up already), your new job would be willing to set aside time for a weekly therapy appointment. Perhaps a visit to your therapist before you start your new job might help?

At any rate, best of luck with your new gig!

Focus on the present. Keep yourself busy. Mindfulness exercises might help with that, but I know if I have too much free time I overthink about things that happened in the past and there's nothing I can do to change things no matter how much I want to.

[wiretwister]

beat down and tired ... wish I had you an answer but I struggle every day ... my new T is having me "cleanse" my past , forgiving all those that have hurt me over the years ... easy said ... hard to do and really live it ...

[downandlonely]

Letting go of the past can be tough. I'm not bipolar, but I suffer from clinical depression and have made many mistakes in the past (some linked to the depression and some not). I have lost a couple of jobs. I did not do well in college, because I struggled with time management.

I have found that living in the past isn't helpful. What is helpful for me is saying "This too shall pass" when I am in a depressive episode. There are times it seems hopeless but I remind myself that things have got better in the past and they will again.

[Sliders]

I try to tell myself that everyone makes mistakes and many have regrets. However, I tell myself I cannot do anything to change my past, but can only control my behavior going forward.

[sarahsweets]

You have to make peace and accept your mistakes and accept the demons before anything can be let go.