Nobody’s Life is Perfect: How to Maintain Your Mental Health When Times are Tough
Never forget: you're not alone in your fight.
Hi there!
Life is unfair. There’s no doubt about it.
Some are born into lives full of luxury while others spend their lives barely finding enough food for each day.
Add in a mental illness such as bipolar disorder, and life feels even more unfair. Why should you struggle while others have perfect mental health?
I’ve thrown this pity party myself several times over the years. I’m sure I will again, because the worst bipolar days suck, and there’s no escaping it.
As I’ve gotten older, I want to believe I’ve gotten a little wiser. One thing I now know is that everyone has their own version of hell they are living with.
Nobody’s life is perfect. We’re all struggling to face the trials each day throws our way.
So how do you keep going?
“It does not matter what you bear, but how you bear it.”
- Seneca
Scott Ninneman publishes two newsletters each week. The Sunday All Things Bipolar Newsletter features the newest content about bipolar life. The Speaking Bipolar Positivity Club Newsletter shares inspirational stories three times a week to help you maintain a positive mindset.
The Path Forward
Even when it appears someone else’s life is easier than yours, remember, everyone’s hell is just as painful for them. No two people are exactly alike, and neither are their experiences.
What may feel impossible for you might just be a normal Tuesday for me. On the flip side, the things I struggle to understand may color every day of your life.
We’re all fighting our own battles.
“It doesn’t matter what you bear, but how you bear it.” This quote from Seneca has been one of my favorites for a long time. It’s a reminder that we all carry our own burdens, and it’s not the weight of those burdens that define us, but rather how we carry them.
We all have our hurdles to jump, and how we choose to tackle each one makes us who we are. So the next time you’re feeling down about your bipolar disorder, remember that everyone has their own trials they are facing.
You are not alone in this. And even though life isn’t fair, it’s still worth living.
Sources of Help
Here are a few tips to keep you going:
Talk to someone who understands what you’re going through. This could be a friend, family member, therapist, counselor, or support group. When you share your struggle, it’s easier to bear.
Find healthy coping mechanisms. For me, this includes exercise, writing, and spending time with my parent’s cat and dog. Working in the yard also helps me maintain stability. When physical activity feels impossible, I’ll go sit in the backyard. Being immersed in nature can lower stress levels and help you refresh.
Focus on the positive. Make a list of things you’re grateful for each day. Try to list at least three. Even if you only list one reason to be thankful every day, by the end of the month you’ll have 30. That’s a whole lot of reasons to feel positive.
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Accept Your Challenges
Life is unfair many days, but there’s still a lot of good in your world. It’s always difficult when you’re struggling and you see others who seem to have it all together. It’s easy to think their life is perfect and then wonder why yours has to be so hard.
The truth is, nobody’s life is perfect. It’s a lie our brains tell us, so stop believing it. Everyone has their own challenges, their own private hell behind their smile.
Every. Single. Person.
You are not alone in this world, and you’re not the only one fighting bad days. Remember that every person is fighting against something and use that knowledge to give you power.
We’re all fighting a battle, so you’re not alone in your fight. Look to your fellow warriors for strength and never give up.
Journal Prompt: Pick someone you know whose life seems easier than yours. What struggles might they be fighting that no one else knows about? Is their life really better than yours?
Creative Writing Prompt: Your character appears to have everything to those on the outside, but there’s a secret hell they never talk about. What is their struggle? How do they keep coping with it?
Until next time, keep fighting.
Scott Ninneman
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Additional Reading:
Blue-Tailed Lizards & Mental Health: A Morning Surprise With a Lesson
The Power of Determination: How It Can Help You With Mental Health
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