Waking Up In Vegas
- Sarah Scritch
- Aug 1, 2017
- 2 min read
As humans, it’s our natural instinct to compare ourselves to others. We are constantly looking around and sizing up what people are doing, where they are going, what are they wearing, what is their job title, etc. This scrutinizing and comparison practice is not healthy for anyone but it is an especially dangerous and slippery slope for people with bipolar 2.
Personally, one of the hardest things to learn is how to manage my expectations strictly within the confines of myself. There are days where just getting out of bed feels as exhausting as running a marathon. Then there are days when I’m feeling good and cram in a bunch of errands and a social engagement or two. For most people, a day of errands and a social activity is a typical days agenda. So many people can do it, why can’t I? Well, I can’t because there are repercussions for me. The following day (or even two) I feel as though I am hungover. I am sluggish and my ADHD runs rampant. Pushing myself beyond my normal limits of social engagements leaves me feeling as though I was waking up in Vegas.
It’s so easy to get lost in, “Well, other people can do it so why can’t I?” but It’s an unhealthy sentiment to get lost in. I must always remember that there are consequences for me. I will never let myself be limited by my bipolar 2 or ADHD diagnosis. There isn’t a limit to what I can do. However, there is a limit to how much I can do in one day. It doesn’t mean I can’t do things, it just means that I may have to do them at a different pace than others. And that is perfectly fine. As long as I keep myself as my number one priority, than I am doing things at an excellent pace.
