Hi,
Let me ask you something: Have you ever known a workaholic? Or even been one yourself?
Well, it’s one thing to work hard. That’s commendable. But to work so hard that it gets you stressed out is NOT a good thing. Here’s another question for you: How many people do you know who love their work? Probably no one, right? (or very few people). As children, we are encouraged to follow our dreams (even though some of them aren’t very realistic, like becoming the president). We are encouraged by our parents and other people, like guidance counselors, to use the gifts and talents we have to think of a career that we want to work in. But too many people actually end up hating their jobs. If you are one of them, I encourage you not to let this
keep going on. I know the economy is tight. That’s why so many people are holding onto their
jobs, even if they hate them. Or are even working a second job. Or a third one! But eventually, it will eat away at you, believe me. I know one woman who hated her job so much that she had an anxiety attack on the way to work every day. That’s no way to live! And definitely no way to take care of yourself.
I talk to many people with bipolar disorder about starting a home business as an alternative to working outside the home. Or consider working only part-time, if you can afford it. But remember back to the beginning of this post. You should be working in a field that supports
your gifts and talents. A job that you enjoy. One that makes you feel good about yourself. One that you look forward to going to. Unfortunately, too many people don’t do that. They just take whatever they can get.
I know one man who is a certified car mechanic, but can’t find a job in his field. So he started a home business just fixing cars in his driveway for now. And he does very well for himself, and is basically stress-free, because he is his own boss. Also, he can set his own hours. He also determines how much money he is going to make. So he is doing what he is trained to do…What he loves to do…The way he wants to do it.
Some people are stuck at dead-end jobs – They can’t go any further up the ladder. Then what do you do? There are so few jobs out there at this point, because the economy is still so bad (even though we’re told that it’s improving). So many people are even being let go from their jobs.
And the competition for the jobs that are out there is fierce. But not if you start your own business, like the car mechanic I was telling you about. He is very happy doing what he’s doing.
Maybe you should consider starting your own home business? Many people with bipolar disorder do it because of the flexibility of it and because it works around their disorder. And because the business can still work even if they get sick.
Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
Post responses below
Sounds great. Allows for many areas of need to work within and in the best interest of this illness BUT how does one go about securing a trust worthy respected company to work for from your home if you don’t have a specific talent/gift or training like the mechanic???
In response to looking for a job. A job that I would enjoy. I have spoken with both of my therapties about this and they both agree I would be prefect for the the job. The job that I am talking about is helping counsel people in group or one on one about bipolar and how best to handle and manage it. To reasure them that it is not a dead sentence. That it is manageable with the right medication taken the correct way. As well as making as well as keeping all of the approperate doctors appointments. Most importantly even when you start feeling better with the right combo of medication you MUST continue taking them. Just because you feel better does not mean you are cured. BECAUSE THERE IS NO CURE! My doctors think I would be the perfect person to help talk to people and share guide them in a postive direction. To also be able to share my story of how my illness going undiagnosed for so many years turned my life upside down and i was at the lowest of the lows and basicly without all the details fastforward and i have never been happier. I have people wheni tell them i am bipolar they tell me if i never said anything they would have never known. I even have several of my doctors yes doctors telling me this might be what i was ment to do. Meaning help others with mental illness be able to cope with the diease and be given ways to handle their illness as well as places to go and numbers to call when things seem to be over wellmeaning.
Melinda Ann (Bipolar sirvioir)
I am currently writing a book about living with bipolar disorder. It is very realistic and raw at times, but also interspersed with some great humor on the situation. It’s about acceptance of the disease and finding success. Sure I might earn some money if I can find a publisher who believes in my work. But in the process of doing something that has always been my ultimate dream, I am happy and successful in my own eyes. This is something I believe in passionately, because I live with, and my aim is to educate, to end the stigma of mental illness, and to find a way to laugh through this. There are just some things you cannot change and well, it helps to laugh at myself once in a while. It’s far better than crying all the time!