Going back to school/work w bipolar not sure if it's worth trying.

I have Sza, cerebral palsy, PTSD, and poverty of speech. I need to make 65k a year to pay for an accessable condo/ apartment. Currently I'm on SSI and assistance. I've been in school off and on for 6 years about 15 years ago. I'm thinking of doing an at your own pace schooling. So that I can get a remote job. I'm scared don't know if it's worth it but I need a place that I can take care of myself. I don't know what to do.

Wow, that's a tough one. Wish I had some good advice to offer you. Many heavy burdens have weighed you down over the years and are still being borne by you. I think your being conflicted and scared is perfectly understandable. What do you see as the short term and long term costs and benefits of "at your own pace schooling" other than the ones you've mentioned. So sorry I do not really know how to be helpful to you. I admire you. You've been through a lot.

Hi, Yaowen -
You must be Wonder Woman to live through all of your challenges every day! I hope you know how to acknowledgment for that, by recognizing each of the examples of taking care of yourself. Submitting a question on this forum, sharing your situation - which took courage just to "admit," - and considering the idea of continuing with schooling.
First, do you know what the fear is about? Are you afraid it will be a waste of time? That following through on it won't accomplish what you need it to? That you aren't up to the challenge because you're not smart/skilled/disciplined enough? And one that I face often: "How will I feel about myself if going back to school turns out to be another method of distracting myself from areas of my life that are too overwhelming?" I find that I put lots of "food" on my plate that looks good in a buffet, but that I don't really have enough appetite to actually eat. For example, right now I'm reading three books, working on a novel with a writing coach,, getting into a voice over career, and starting a business in doing natal astrology charts. Oh - and I just joined this community and look forward to posting. There aren't enough hours in the day!
So I suggest you ask yourself these questions:
"Do the requirements of my days leave me enough mental and emotional wherewithal to enjoy classes?"
"Am I really interested in learning the material of the class I'm thinking about taking?"
"Have I gotten feedback from folks who are taking/have taken this class/enrolled in this school so I know what to expect for. the amount of time required to do the work? Did they think it's a worthwhile course/company that's offering it?"

Asking myself questions has been my best recourse for trusting what I'm thinking about doing. Doesn't always work, but it's always informative!
Remember these points: I'm doing the best I can." I don't need to add anything to myself to be a better person." "I trust my deepest feeling 'lie' detector when I question myself." "Is it helpful to pressure myself to make a decision RIGHT NOW?"
Take care of yourself!
aishasolo
There are always alternatives for how to arrive at a goal.

Do you think realistically that you could handle work and schooling? Or just one or the other/which one (and which is more important)? Could you do a ticket to work program and test the waters of working without screwing with your benefits?

It's really up to you, but it is a big decision. I'm having trouble deciding that for myself right now too, but I've decided to put that on the backburner until I'm steadily functioning enough to handle it (which is NOT right now for me)

That's the thing I don't think I'm functional enough but I need more help then I am getting. I need to be able to pay for an accessable unit, house cleaning and food I can make on my own. Plus my teeth are bad. So I'm looking for high pay, remote and for that I need an education. Hell I still can't even go walk to the store by myself without getting freaked out. But my disabilities are getting worse.

My other thought is go back to FL. Get a cheap RV and modify it. Either way I need to save money. There are several reasons I don't want to go back to FL. If I move to California I'll never see my family. I just have no idea what to do.

So I started an intro class. When I finish in a month or two. I'll do the general Ed classes. Then I'll switch to the university hopefully January. In June take a break for a CO op then finish off school. Lots of work to do.

i had to wait til i was in a really good place to go back to school an dim still really struggligng. i hope you find what works for you

What are you planning to study?

Are you still planning to go on Clozaril?

I'm planning on studying user experience research and design. Which is how to make applications and websites work better for people so they can get what they need from a program faster and easier.

There's a med change in my future. I just don't know which one yet. They were having a study on Clozaril that I was thinking about doing but they never got back to me. I see the pdoc on Monday. And a new therapist tomorrow. I'm doing better since I'm home but I never want last month again.

I'm in a really hard spot. I need money for services that would help my disability but I have no money.