I had a year that was full of turmoil but, looking back... it was good for me. I thought people could post what went right in their lives this year?

1. I has basically had poor financial management for about 5 years. This year at the start of the year I did what I could to get it together and it worked well. What I tried... worked. I have a retirement account (been saving since 2004) that just passed a major milestone.

2. I purchased a home that wasn't 100% finished so that I could finish it. Honestly it has been a lot harder than I originally expected but... I made major leaps this year. And it is really starting to come together. I enjoy doing these things on my own. And it has helped make me somewhat stronger physically.

3. I have failed at dieting all my life. So this year I decided to really try to do a new approach. This approach is a more challenging thing but, I think will work. I am down 25 lbs. I still have more to go and my plan calls for 2 more years until I am completely done but so far, so good.

4. I used to hang with a bunch of friends on a message board. But this year I got fed up with them and left. At first I thought I made a big mistake but later I realized I have spent about 5 years supporting them and they didn't me. So I decided to use that time more productively and I have so much. There were thing I always wanted to try that I did... but probably wouldn't have if I had continue using them as a crutch.

Thx Emily. Great thread idea.

I too had some difficulties but things went well this past year too...

I grew closer to my children. This most definitely highlights the year. I had some closure to the grieving that has plagued me for all that I lost of myself in my previous life. I realised there was much going for this one and I have been able to happily move on. I got to spend a great deal of my summer out of doors and camping. So very good for my soul. And now, I wind up a very good year with a move to another city and in with my boyfriend.

[Shazerac]

This has been a pretty rough year for me but,

One good thing that did happen to me this year is that I summoned the courage to submit to a more invasive treatment for a herniated disk in my neck. I have been in pain for years and kept stalling and getting by with steroid shots in my neck. The procedure went well and I have had true pain relief.

[All Is Revealed]

I gave up drinking alcohol. I also gave up drinking coffee.

[Baker#88]

After over 3 years of fighting, I finally got approved for SSDI!

[Sunflower123]

It’s been a rough year but a few good things happened:

1. My daughter graduated high school and got a full scholarship to the college of her choice.

2. I’ve had bad gastric issues that are being resolved and I’ve lost 50 lbs. to boot.

3. I have a new med combo and I think this is the answer I’ve been looking for.

Wishing everybody a great 2018.

Originally Posted by Jennifer 1967

2. I’ve had bad gastric issues that are being resolved and I’ve lost 50 lbs. to boot.

That is amazing Jen. Congrats. I lost 25 but have 50 to go.

I am trying to go slow.

Had to think but I guess the best answer would be_

Hypo-thyroid medication finally started showing evidence of doing some good.

[Bookworm257]

My niece was born

I just got some hopefully good financial news

i completed an online support group that it had taken almost a decade to go back and try...its finally laid to rest some very difficult times for me so I can go forwards!

A lifelong friendship ended, and (although I wish things were different) it's nowhere like as bad as I thought it would be...Phew

An old friend got back in touch, although she probably won't be close as she once was, it's amazing knowing that she still cares.

I'm no longer having an affair with a possessive man, who lives with jealousy n judgment.

I am taking steps to improve my health...hoping it's not too late!

I worked for over 8 months

Great idea for a thread, it's uplifting to read the replies.

For me by far the best thing was our son landing himself a great fulltime job with prospects (he has already travelled overseas with it) after a period of part time retail work. It does not get any better than this!

Other than that I guess my own job, which had been going not so well, took a turn for the better and my workplace is a happier more productive place to be. We even got a better manager. So glad I rode it out, have been there over a year and feel settled.

[Smileonmyface]

my baby boy born in September

[LiteraryLark]

So many good things have happened this year, but best of all I was reunited with my fire kitty Evy!

[Cocosurviving]

Back 2012 when I created my account I was definitely just surviving hence the name “Cocosurviving”. I had a really hard time accepting that I had a mental illness. I did start meds and therapy. In 2013 I moved back to my birth state. It was rocky; the family support I was told I’ve have was not there. I ended up going to the mental hospital a few times. I was also fighting to get on disability and it was a fight for “me”. I was on a roller coaster for a while trying to get meds worked out and dealing with mania. In 2016 things got better. I had not been in the hospital since 2014. I received my SSDI. My meds were working well. I had no SAD in fall or winter. I moved to a place I was happy.....smaller city. In 2017, I had some depression in the spring but no mania all year. I started substituting a little. The extra income helps. I also started using coping skills and self-care regularly. I have found what works for me. Things did get a little better with my mom, older daughter and stepdad. They actually learned a little, little about bipolar disorder. They will check in with me. I’m thinking of going back to school....change from mental health social work to accounting. I’m not looking to get a second degree just a certifications certificate. I would not find trying to work part-time. So now in 2017, I feel I’m living not just surviving.

[ikigai_sp1]

1. I finally got a job after two years of looking. It was a joy working there, and I found that I really can succeed at a job. I received two bonuses during my 5 month stay there! (It ended in October when I found a new workplace which only lasted a week! I wish that I never left the place I was at just to get more hours).

2. I've lost 30 lbs and have about 50 to go. I gained so much weight when I was on Risperdal! I look like an egg now! (I borrowed that phrase from my former coworker who described herself that way! I just laughed and laughed!)

3. I've decided to take extra care of my parents while they are still living. This might seem like a burden, but I enjoy it! My Dad's temper has gone away ever since my sister got diagnosed with Bipolar and GAD and I with Schizoaffective disorder Bipolar type. And he seems more loving. He barely even drinks anymore! (The only thing that he drinks anyway is Natural Light! Ha).

[William Munny]

I became normal.