Happy World Bipolar Day!
World Bipolar Day is celebrated on March 30th, the birthday of Vincent Van Gogh. The goal of the day is to increase awareness and advocacy for bipolar disorder.
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2015. I don’t celebrate that fact per se, but I celebrate the fact that I’ve learned to live with and manage the condition. I celebrate the accomplishments I’ve achieved despite and sometimes even because of my diagnosis.
I always felt my brain was wired a little differently than most people’s. I feel my emotions very intensely. My disorder made me say and do many things I’ll always regret, but it has also given me a heightened sense of empathy and creativity. I love what Ryan Licht Sang said — bipolar disorder is an evolutionary step in brain development, but the bugs haven’t been completely worked out yet.
Here I am below, next to my painting that was honored with a grant from the Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation. This to me was probably my greatest artistic achievement ever, acceptance to a show all about creativity in the bipolar brain where all of the artists were living with bipolar disorder.
Mental Filmness 