Chase Your Dreams, No Matter What: Mental Illness Shouldn't Stop You
Everything is possible if you take small steps.
Hi there!
When I started my first blog, it was during a manic phase.
I wanted a place to rant about the injustices I saw in the world, but was terrified of anyone reading my words.
My first blog had one post. I let my fears hold me back and never hit publish again. I kept putting off writing even though I had so much to say.
Life goes fast and does not wait for anyone.
As I grow older and lose more friends every year, the brevity of life is constantly before me. The reality of our mortality should drive all of us to live our lives to the fullest every day.
Too often, we let our mental health conditions stop us from going after our dreams. We tell ourselves that we’re not good enough or that we’ll never be able to achieve them. We allow ourselves to believe that mental illness makes a full life impossible.
This is simply not true!
It may take a few more steps, but nearly everything is possible.
You can achieve anything if you break it down into small steps. Here are three steps you can take to pursue your dreams.
“Life is short, fragile, and does not wait for anyone. There will never be a perfect time to pursue your dreams and goals other than right now.”
- Rachael Bermingham
Scott Ninneman also publishes the free All Things Bipolar Newsletter (off Substack) The Sunday email features the newest content about bipolar life.
Get started
It may seem obvious that the first step to achieving your dream is to get started, but frequently, people have a dream and never pursue it.
My second blog lasted longer, but I published everything under a penname. I was writing online, but the fake persona left a wall between me and my readers.
Eventually, I shut down that blog and started Speaking Bipolar.
Finally, I had the right place to pursue my writing dreams.
Getting started is often the hardest part, but it’s also the most important. Once you take that first step, the rest will be much easier.
If you want to be an artist, buy a paint set (affiliate) and browse art videos online.
If you want to be a writer, pull out a pen or open an app on your phone. Start with “The” and see what happens.
If you want to work in a new career field, research what’s required to reach your goal. Then take the smallest, easiest step and do it today.
Believe in yourself
You are capable of great things. It’s true.
Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. If you don’t believe in yourself, it’s unlikely anyone else will.
Close your eyes and spend five minutes imagining your life after you achieve your goal. Allow yourself to believe you can get there and keep that picture of success constantly before you.
Even better, create a vision board (affiliate) and add pictures of the life of your dreams. Then look at your board every day to keep you inspired.
Keep fighting
Pursuing your dreams is hard, but anything worth having is worth the energy and time to get it. Get to work today, and you’ll never regret it.
There will be times you get knocked down, told it’s impossible, or feel like you can’t go on. Force yourself to get back up.
On at least three occasions, I decided to shut down my Speaking Bipolar blog. One time I even deleted my social media accounts.
A few weeks passed, and I was haunted by the memory of the comments from my readers. They reminded me why I started writing in the first place, so I got back to work.
I dreamed of being a writer, and now I am one. It’s a dream I continue to pursue every day.
You have to be your own biggest cheerleader and fight for what you want. Coach yourself and make a vow to never stop. Set tiny goals and then celebrate every win.
When you have a mental illness such as bipolar disorder, the voices inside may make your path to success more challenging, but you can do it. Determine what your next step should be, break that step into its smallest parts, and tackle one piece at a time.
No matter what your dreams are, don’t let mental illness stop you from chasing them.
You deserve to live a life that makes you happy.
So go out there and chase those dreams.
Journal Prompt: If you could do anything, what would it be? Why? What is the first step to working toward your dream?
Creative Writing Prompt: You find a genie lamp on the beach and are granted one wish. You can make any dream come true. Describe the dream in detail. Then, write a story about your life after your wish is granted.
Until next time, keep fighting.
Scott Ninneman
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Additional Reading:
Bipolar Disorder Is NOT God’s Punishment or Demon Possession
You Need To Accept All Parts of You (Including the Messy Parts)
Disclaimer:
This email may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
I think it's super important to have goals in life. I'm currently writing about a period in my young adulthood in which I finally found a sense of purpose after falling in love with a girl who, as (bad) luck would have it, was already in a long term and committed relationship. I couldn't be with her, but just falling for her sparked the motivation I needed to turn my life around when I was struggling with a schizophrenia diagnosis, depression, and weight gain. A year later I started a dog walking company which slowly grew into what it is today: a moderately successful business that generates an income that is more than self-supporting. All possible because I took the first step, didn't give up when hardships arose, and believed in myself. Glad you were able to achieve your dream of being a writer! I love writing and want to start being more regular with it. Reading your blog helps inspire me, so thanks!
Great article... And for everyone Stay Alive You Matter.