I've Lost Me: Please Leave A Message

What a year it's been. A lot of good and some bad and when it's good, it's really good. The downside to that is when it's been bad, it's been really bad. I've lost myself somewhere along the way, or I should say, I've lost my edge, my solid ground, my stability mentally. I've shut down and I'm on cruise control. It's still moving so good enough, right?

Start with the good or do I get the bad off my chest? I always try to stay positive on here but sometimes that's easier said than done. Let's start with the bad. What's the worst that could happen? Let's find out...

I quit taking my meds. Like a while ago. Ok like a long time ago. I was cured so what do you want from me?! Then I needed to be able to go without sleep and to have bipolar brain so I could multitask and it just kept snowballing until it was moving too fast to stop and the inevitable happened and I crashed and burned. And I did it at work. That's always fun and neat and super comfortable for everyone involved. I had a panic attack. All the noises became magnified and the sweat started along with the tight chest. My vision tunneled and then the anger started because dealing with the true emotion is stupid so getting angry helps everything always. I ended up in the bathroom on the phone with my wife (yes I got married and yes we'll get to that later) telling her I was going to quit because all I cared about was escaping. I needed to run and I wasn't sure where I just knew it would get me away from there. She told me to go talk to my Supervisor who is like a sister to me and that she would understand. I don't have her permission to use her name so I won't but she is an amazing person and a great friend. Speaking of amazing, Tabbee got me calmed down and off I went. I walked in the door to let S know I was leaving and next thing I know I was crying. Yay. Loved that in so many ways said me never.

The problem I have is I listen to peoples worst day ever every time I work. Death hangs out and monitors the phones ready to interject at a moments notice. Even as a trainee, he whispers in my ear that I can make this a relatable moment and if I would only put myself in the caller's shoes then surely I'll hear my mom's voice if I concentrate hard enough or I'll hear the click of the gun that took my buddy way too soon or the tears of the mom, sister, brother, son, parent, child will wash away the guilt I feel for being glad I'm alive when someone else is not. I am seeing the deceased when I'm not at work and I can hear their voices and all I can do is answer not caring what strangers think but hoping they can hear me and that's a comfort for them. I've lost me. Please leave a message and I'm hoping to get back with you shortly.

So I got married and I love being a husband. She helps me more than anyone could. She has helped me get back on my meds and been supportive with all of this. I can be honest with her about everything and that's refreshing. She didn't look at me crazy when I told her I've been hearing and seeing Justin. She's never made me feel stupid for who or what I am. That's huge. That's love. That's til death do us part.

I'm not sure I'm the super low % of people that can do this job. I do know that I respect and love my coworkers. I can say they never get the recognition they deserve or have earned. I can say that not everyone can do what they do-being a superhero isn't for everyone. I think I'm proof of that. And that's ok.

I'm going to be ok. Maybe not tonight or tomorrow but I will be. I've made it 47 years and I plan on sticking around for more so here's to round whatever the hell it is of starting meds again and finding myself. Thanks for letting me vent and I'll try to write more often. I appreciate each and every one of you...don't forget 988 if you're needing help and 911 is always there for you as well. Either way, there's a superhero on the other end waiting to help.

I'm not bipolar-I have bipolar

Ryan M Sullivan

A Thank You to Blue October

 This blog has been a long time in the making. I have to admit I've avoided it because it makes me emotional and thinking about the past can be painful. Thinking of all the horrible things I've done, said and thought, when being honest with myself, can be defeating but it doesn't have to be. I have been put here for a reason and I may not always know that reason but I intend to make the most of it.

The song that slapped me in the face all those years ago was, of course, Hate Me. I'm in the middle of raging alcoholism, a marriage I'm taking for granted and kids that are probably traumatized and embarrassed of their dad that's a hard-working drunk. "The one thing that always tore us apart is the one thing I won't touch again" damn I said that so many times.  I was really good at broken promises. I think that song spoke to me so profoundly because I wanted, needed, everyone to hate me because that was something I understood. God I hated myself. So "Hate me today. Hate me tomorrow. Hate me for all the things I didn't do for you. Hate me in ways, yeah, ways hard to swallow. Hate me so you can finally see what's good for you" I had a new addiction and that was Blue October.

Now I have to admit, after listening to song after song, I was wondering if it's possible to copyright my brain because I swore Justin was listening to my thoughts and writing songs about them. That is how close I related with his music. I felt like he was singing my story. He knew my pain, my fears-my sadness. He understood what it's like to laugh on the outside while screaming on the inside. To appear full of life while wishing I was dead. I had searched in all the wrong places for answers and I swore they were at the bottom of a bottle so I was determined to drink until I found the one with all of the solutions. I'm not saying it doesn't exist but I say the same thing about unicorns as well.

I remember many drunken nights, listening to Blue October, feeling his pain while trying to figure out how to end mine. I wanted it all to go away. I wanted to die. I had done the testing of water type things-cutting, self-harm, completely reckless behavior hoping that would do it but I had never really really attempted suicide. Until I did. I remember being at such peace with it. It was like being in a fog as I drove to the grocery store and bought all the sleeping pills they had. Next stop was the liquor store. I remember spinning the top off of a whisky bottle with one hand while swallowing pills with the other. As I wrote the note that never would've been good enough to explain why I did what I did, I remember them kicking in and I cried. Not because I regretted my decision but because I had finally found the strength to go thru with it. I woke up puking. And I was angrier than I ever have been in my life. I was so bad of a screw-up I couldn't even kill myself.

I've told an extremely limited amount of people about that night. A verse in Black Orchid "Maybe life isn't for everyone" was what I really believed. I believed I was put here by mistake and I was going to fix it. I hear "how selfish" and "how could they do that to us" amongst many many other exclamations against something they can't possibly understand. At that point, I felt the most unselfish thing I could do for those I loved was no longer be here. I felt the only way I could make the pain go away was to die. The only forgiveness there was for my countless sins was to go away so I could ensure, in the only way I felt was possible, never to hurt anyone ever again. 

Why am I telling my story in this way? It's a simple answer really. Stigma. I have fought for not being embarrassed of who I am and that includes the bad parts of Ryan. I'm a ball of bipolar, mental illness, hurts, regrets, anger, guilt and countless other things that luckily include-a hell of a sense of humor, laughter, great friends and family just to name a limited few of all the good parts and things I have. It saddens me that we lose men and women to suicide multiple times a day. Please talk to someone if you are to that point. Please ask for help. 

I think of all the things I would've missed out on. I think of all the things those I love would've missed out on. Saturday morning coffee with my mom. Being a grandpa. Being a dad. Being a brother. Being a brother-in-law. My point in all of this is that moment in time seems insurmountable. Seems impossible. Seems the only answer to a lifetime of questions. It isn't. It really really isn't. I promise you it isn't. 

Call someone. Call anyone. Call the Suicide Hotline (988) I'm begging you. I think back to that night multiple times a week. I think about the ones I know that succeeded and I watch their loved ones left in a constant questioning of where they went wrong. What could they possibly have done to change the outcome. I can only tell you my perspective but I'm thankful I didn't succeed. I am thankful I finally started talking about it. You are not alone. By calling 988 you'll find out just how not alone you really are. I promise.

Now go and listen to "Fear" by Blue October. 

I'm not bipolar-I have bipolar.

Ryan M Sullivan

Being Manic is Ok, Right?

 I got a couple of hours of sleep and then bounced out of bed with a ton of energy and a million ideas. I know I'm going manic because I've been here a thousand times and it's been trying to take control the past couple of days. All the signs are there and I don't ignore them anymore. Instead, I thought I would use this as an opportunity to let you in on what I experience. Maybe it will help someone along the way.

The first sign for me is my speech. I can't talk fast enough. I have so many ideas and thoughts whirling thru my head like a tornado of incoherency and lucidity fighting for control that i need to get it out as fast as I can before I forget everything I wanted to say. It's hard to sit idle during conversations because I just want to talk. And talk. And talk. You don't need to because I have it under control.

Next comes impulse control. That ranges from saying things nobody should ever say in private let alone public. It kind of ties in with the whole speech thing. It becomes a thought straight to verbal before my brain can yell "Nope. Don't say that. Ever." The really dangerous thing about lack of impulse control is spending money. I want to buy everything my heart has ever desired and then everything it has never desired. I start looking at the dumbest shit on Amazon. You never know when you'll need an office sized L shaped computer and writing desk in the living room of your apartment even though you already own a perfectly fine writing desk. But isn't L shaped and it wont take up your entire living room so is it really that fine? I can only wear one watch band at a time but owning 15 is better. 6 TB of storage for the PS5 is amazing but so is a 12. I need a different soap for every day of the month so i always smell fresh with matching underarm deodorant. My buddy just bought a desktop gaming PC and I know I just got a really nice gaming laptop a few weeks ago but it would look better sitting next to a desktop. Because I can only use one at a time doesn't figure into the equation. Luckily, I have bought none of these but they're sitting in my 'save for later' in my Amazon account. We'll get to that in a minute.

Irritability and grandiose ideas. I love being manic because of all these brilliant ideas I have (can't you tell so far?) and when I'm hyper-focused on something I find important it irritates me that you don't find it as important. When I vocalize the grandest idea in human existence, I struggle with the fact that you are too lucid to understand the importance of what I'm saying. Why must you speak common sense to the amazing Ryan Sullivan when I've just told you I am going to be a best selling author that's never written a book? No I have not ever directed a movie but mine will be a blockbuster so why do you keep asking stupid questions? I love my job so I should quit. I just asked that question 3.2 seconds ago but you haven't answered yet so screw you. I think you get the idea.

The good thing about dealing with bipolar for the past 30 years give or take is I've become pretty self-aware. I watch for my own red flags. The warning signs. So when I say I put all that stuff in my 'save for later' list on Amazon it's because I have taught myself that putting it there is just as satisfying as actually purchasing them. Plus it's a good laugh when I come off my mania to look at all the crazy stuff I put in there. I have learned to listen to myself talk and at what speed so I know mania is a coming. I gauge my irritability against would that irritate anyone or just Manic Ryan. I have spent many times broke as a joke because of mania. I have embarrassed myself with the claims of fame during mania. I have hurt feelings and destroyed relationships because of mania.

Mania is always described as almost euphoric and trust me it can be. But that only applies to me and I forget that sometimes. So when my level isn't matched I actually wonder what your problem is while you're wondering what the hell my problem is. Luckily those close to me have learned this is as much a part of me as my beard was until I had to shave it off because I wasn't patient enough to wait for Joe to make it look amazing as always. I really am fortunate. Not everyone is.

So what I'm saying is I'm not asking for a free pass to act however I want but maybe a little slack here and there isn't too much to ask. On the flip side, holding me accountable with kindness is a must because I refuse to use my bipolar as an excuse to not be a good person. So I'm going to fake shop, not start my best selling novel while not directing a blockbuster and have speed conversations with myself until it's time to go to work. I know this about myself. I'm proud of myself for knowing this about myself and for fighting like hell with Manic Ryan to not destroy everything he's worked hard to obtain. So I'll wait patiently to take my meds, shower and go to work because I've been blessed with another day-bipolar and all.

I'm not bipolar-I have bipolar

Ryan M Sullivan

I'm Useless But Not For Long

 Clint Eastwood by the Gorillaz popped up on my playlist while at work and the chorus really made reflect for a minute or twelve. It goes like this: I ain't happy, I'm feelin glad. I got sunshine in a bag. I'm useless but not for long the future is comin' on. I really listened to this song I've heard a thousand times and I thought if that doesn't nail the essence of bipolar, then I don't know what does.

The biggest battle I face with my bipolar is the ups and downs. Sometimes within a short period of time. I can be fighting mad and then snap out of it and go "No big deal". I can be sad, deeply, with a what's the point attitude and then start thinking about how things will get better. I can say never while doing the thing I said never to. Saying I'm not going to do something but make plans to do it while also saying I'll do something but make plans not to do it. My family, friends and exes absolutely love this about me. I'm kidding. They hate it. A lot. I don't blame this but what they always forgot was I do too. I hate that my brain shorts out and I can promise I hate it more than they ever could.

The thing with bipolar is, I not only have to worry about what I'm doing and saying. I have to worry about what others are saying and doing. That whole don't worry about what others think only goes so far and applies only to people we don't love or care about. You see, a lot of the times while I'm short-circuiting, I'm in the back of my head saying STOP!! DON'T SAY THAT!! DON'T DO THAT!! I'm not the best person but I do not take joy in being mean or impossible to people I love. Not that I enjoy it otherwise but you know what I'm saying. The problem is I can't always stop everything I do or say but I can sure regret it later.

I have said horrible things to my mom, brother, soulmate, exes, friends. I am very fortunate to have the family that I do because they have never turned their back on me when I can't say the same about them. My brain has made up things that never happened but I could pass a lie detector saying they have. They patiently waited for me to come to terms with the fact they wouldn't lie to me and never made me feel stupid for what happened. I've said mean things to all of them but I'm proud to say the majority are still along for the ride on this bipolar roller coaster of a ride.

The things I have said and done keep me up at night. I've noticed a difference since being back on my meds but I know I'll still get manic which I love and get depressed which I hate. I know I'll try to convince myself I'm cured again. I promised Stacy when we were dating I wouldn't get off of them and I did. I consider her my soulmate and still I quit my meds. I've told mom never again. I've done it again. My point is I always have the best of intentions. I also know what the road to hell is paved with. If I could apologize 1000 times to make it better then I'd apologize 10,000 times to put things back the way they were before I messed up. I can only look forward but I seem to trip while looking over my shoulder. I'm still working on that.

So there's still times I ain't happy but I'm feeling glad. I'll have that sunshine in a bag. I'll feel useless but not for long-the future is coming on.

I'm not bipolar-I have bipolar

Ryan M Sullivan

Million and One Times Is the Charm

​I know you all will find this incredibly hard to believe but I got off my meds again. For quite awhile. Because I am the walking definition of insanity and I swear each time the results will be different. They weren’t in case you were wondering. 

This round was a mixture of reasons and chaos but the end result was the same. I work a lot of hours at my job plus I’m on call half of the month so I get nothing resembling regular hours or sleep. I went thru a relationship ending. I can try to act manly and say it didn’t bother me but it did. I believed the whole soulmate forever BS and I have nobody to blame but myself but that doesn’t take away the hurt. Words are cheap but can cut like a knife. So I really became a recluse. Nobody is going to ever hurt me again and if I’m by myself are my meds really that important?

The thing I didn’t take into account is I can shut everyone out and lock the door but I can’t escape myself. I can’t leave my bipolar on the outside of that locked door. Let me tell you, I can be horrible company to myself sometimes. I enjoy setting up a screen and playing home movies of my thoughts. I can tell myself I’ve already seen this and it sucks so I don’t really want to relive it but I remind myself that’s the only way I’ll learn is to obsess on it and break it down, decipher every word and action so that I won’t make the same mistake again. Relive the pain so I can embrace it and become numb to it. Relive the anger so I can perfect it. Remember being taken advantage of, used, overworked, unappreciated so that it will eventually roll off of me. On the flip side, if I replay all the mistakes I’ve made in my life, all the hurt I’ve inflicted over the years, if I punish myself enough then maybe I will atone for my sins. 

I can tell you all of that hasn’t become productive. Sitting in the past watching rerun after rerun hasn’t changed the outcome. It has led to lost time of doing things I enjoy. It has left me going to bed feeling lost and waking up to wondering what the point of being alive is. Why was I put here? To be an example of what nobody should ever be? It’s hard to write these things but that’s what it took for me to take action. When I’m writing things like this in my journal, I knew, no matter how much I don’t want it to be true, that I absolutely can not do this on my own. That’s what I really struggle with at the end of the day. I can’t do this on my own. I have to swallow pills to make all the bad parts of bipolar go away.

I had to admit to myself I am a hypocrite. I say this because the first thing I tell someone else that tells me about their struggles is there is not a damn thing wrong with taking your medication. That it takes a stronger person to admit they need help no matter the form, whether it’s meds, therapy or both. So who am I to not follow my own words of advice? 

So for the millionth and first time I have started my medication again. I’m back on lithium. I’m taking Abilify. I had an honest conversation with my doctor yesterday and will be seeing a psychiatrist again. I’m actively looking for a local therapist. Because I came to myself with my struggles and told myself there is not a damn thing wrong with taking my medication. That it takes a stronger person to admit I need help. 

I’m not bipolar-I have bipolar

Ryan M Sullivan

I Don’t Need You Anymore

This is going to be very direct and to the point and to be honest, I should’ve done this years ago. 

I am tired of trying to be what everyone but myself wants me to be. I’m tired of stipulations and rules and compliance always being the clause behind friendships, girlfriends, family- everyone. I’m tired of love being held back like dog treats unless I sit, stay and roll over. 

Example number one. I’ll love my meds I’ll hate my meds. I’ll take my meds I’ll go off my meds. I understand in your world this is a huge inconvenience for you and cause for debate, your unsolicited debate, but I don’t care. I don’t give a shit. You know why? Because my bipolar isn’t about you. I struggle with it everyday, not you. You may struggle with the affects it has on me or the biproduct of but you have no clue what the actual struggle of bipolar is so until you do the last thing I’ll accept from you is your judgement. Don’t like it, don’t stick around. It’s pretty simple in my world. If this sounds selfish it’s because it is. I should’ve been more selfish a long time ago. 

Example two. I have struggled off and on for as long as I can remember with alcohol. I have never claimed I’ll be perfect. That I won’t fall off the wagon. I feel I’ve done amazing for awhile now but that might change today and then tomorrow could be better. That’s my world and I’ve learned to roll with the punches. I have a few beers from time to time. I’ll continue to have a few beers from time to time. Your opinion on the matter is exactly that, an opinion, and believe it or not I don’t have to agree with said opinion. You don’t have to agree with my opinion on the matter but I am no longer open to discussing it. Don’t like that, not my problem. 

There’s plenty of other examples but I think you’re getting my point. This blog is long overdue. I have lived the last 44 years trying so hard to make everyone around me happy that I forgot to ask myself if I was happy. Well I’m not but I will be. Because I am now making this about me. I deserve to be happy.  I’m done being told I’m a piece of shit. I’m done being told I’m a shitty dad because I refuse to be mentally and verbally assaulted for mistakes made in the past. I’m human and I’m far from perfect but I’m done paying for my sins. I’m done conforming and molding and fitting into boxes made by others and trying to be what everyone else wants me to be at the cost of my sanity. At the cost of my happiness. No wonder I don’t know who I am anymore because I literally don’t know who I am anymore. I’ve been too busy being what everyone else wanted me to be. That bullshit stops here. 

If this blog offends you then maybe you’re part of my problem. You can excuse yourself from the table. I choose happiness despite your feelings on the matter. Despite what makes you uncomfortable or disappointed or uneasy or any other descriptors I’ve heard over the years. That is your problem, not mine. I may spend the rest of my life by myself sitting in my apartment and that will be worlds better than constantly shifting to what makes everyone happy but myself. I choose happiness and I choose me. If you choose not to be a part of that I am perfectly fine with that. My happiness isn’t based off of how many people I can call friends.

 So I am done with one-sided friendships, one-sided relationships and trying to be what you need me to be to be happy at the expense of my own happiness. I am at the brink of losing my sanity and I refuse to do all this shit any longer. So if you want to be my friend or more and my happiness is just as important as yours then hi my name is Ryan. If not, I’m perfectly fine with remaining strangers and you can keep on walking. I’m done. I’m over it and I refuse to budge. It’s time to be happy again. Period. 

I’m not bipolar-I have bipolar

Ryan Sullivan

There Is No Forever

I’m struggling 

I want

To scream

While I laugh

Out loud

Invisible tears

Flow

While I put on

My smile 

Got to let

Everyone

Know

Everything is ok

Feelings go

Unheard

With no one 

To listen

My mind

Battles

Hours upon hours

With no outcome

No resolve

No solution 

Keep it to

Yourself

Don't be a bother 

My opinion differs

From yours

So I’m not privy

To your world

Anymore

If only I mold

Myself into

Everything

Everyone

Wants me to

Be then maybe

I’ll completely 

Lose who I am

If only I wasn’t me

Then maybe I’d be

Something

Worthy compared

To valuable 

I’d be worth

Your time

Envious of those

You hold dear

To remember

That feeling 

Of being

Important

How long

Until

I finally

Break

Maybe that’s 

What you’re 

After

Leave me

Beaten

Broken

In pieces

Before you

Move on

Overthink

While you

Give it no

Thought at all

What was

Left of me

To give

Is

Now

Gone

Maybe never

To be found

I fell

For the

Promises

Of forever

When I should

Know

Forever doesn’t 

Exist

They are

As empty

As the 

Words 

Spoken

I got

Stuck holding

The bag

Filled with

The years

Of sins

Committed

By another

Yet still

Expected

To atone

For them

So busy

Proving

You can do

What you

Want

That you forgot

I wasn’t 

The one

Who had

Been holding

You down

All those

Years

Stuck

On making

Up for

Lost time

Going after

Some lost

Youth

Chasing some

Freedom

All of which

Had been locked

But I was never

Holding the key

But I sit

At home

Bearing the

Punishment

Of the sins

I did not 

Commit

So you can

Shove it in

The face

Of the one

Who isn’t 

Paying attention

I can’t beg

Anymore and

Not for some

Resemblance

Of pride

Because I no

Longer know

What that looks

Like but

Because I’m 

Tired

Exhausted

A shell

A shell 

Of a person

That loved you

That said

Forever

Forever and

A day

To the moon

And back

Without knowing

Forever isn’t 

Very long and

The moon a short trip

And so

I will

Walk one way

While you

Run the other

I walk 

Not ready

To leave you behind

While you

Run

Never a

Second thought I’m 

Already a distant past

The Darkness In the Light

Sometimes on the brightest days all I can see is the dark. I open the fridge and nothing looks good. I turn on the TV and can't decide on what to watch. I get to the front door just to put my keys back down. Turn on one of my gaming systems just to shut it off before the game even loads. Four walls are the only decision I can make. 

Have you ever laughed and wondered if that's actually your real laugh or if you've faked it so long that you don't think you even have a real laugh anymore? Maybe conversations are just something that you're suppose to have so you've learned over time the right social cues to react to to say the right thing? More like you're an actor than a real person in life. Maybe. Not even sure about that most times it seems. Not sure about most things anymore. 

I spend more and more time with myself than anyone else. I think I've become antisocial for self-preservation. I can't handle things anymore like I use to like ignorance and the mundane. The senseless conversations along with the complaining without conscious effort to make change. So in comes the self-preservation part. I have a notorious problem with keeping my thoughts to myself. With evaluating everything said, seperating the legit from the bullshit and then speaking my mind. I've learned a lot of people don't dig that. The thing is, I do that to myself constantly and treat myself worse than anyone else ever could so I guess I don't take feelings into account. Just the grating fingernails on the chalkboard feeling I get listening to it. 

I know I sound like an ass and hell I probably am. I just don't know how to function in day to day situations anymore I guess. If there's a problem, fix it. Pretty simple in my world. Maybe I'm losing my empathy but to empathize with someone you have to be able to relate in some way and I guess I just don't anymore. 

So these are just a small glimpse of things that trouble me. A lot. I feel like I can't be myself around people because I have nothing in common with most people anymore. I try to self-reflect constantly. I try to be a better person than I was yesterday. I try not to be cynical but as you can see that's still a work in progress. Perfection is unattainable sadly but sitting around in your own crap complaining that it smells like crap hasn't solved any problems that I'm aware of either. If you've made it this far into the blog just know that this is my opinion on everything. Despite the world around me, I will always hold onto my right to have one. Good thing is, you have the right not to agree with it. 

With this all being said or vomitted or rambled or however you want to label it, I do battle myself with the problem of wanting to become a complete recluse every single day. There's comfort in silence. In enjoying your own company. But at what cost? Regrets that hit later in life? Not being able to choose to be alone because that's the only choice I have? Where I work, I have the entire plant to myself all night long for 12 hours and it's absolutely amazing. I'm going to have to train the new guys the routines for night shift and you know what troubles me the most? It's not that I don't know what I'm doing or how to train... it's the anxiety of being stuck with someone for 12 hours that's going to want to have conversations and be social. Changing my routine to fit theirs. Dammit. 

I know I'm tired so my rose colored glasses have become clear but I find life exhausting and there's something therapeutic about closing the door to the outside world. My goal is to make sure there's still a door there instead of only four walls. To make sure that door still opens to those I love because one day I may open it only to find four more walls. 

I'm not bipolar-I have bipolar

Ryan Sullivan

It Was Just Advice But So Much More

My dad owned his own business for a long time doing boiler work and plumbing. I had the pleasure of working with my dad for a number of years and I will cherish that time until the day I die. My dad gave me numerous pieces of advice growing up and while working with him but one stuck like glue and I've never forgotten it and I still try to live by this one piece of advice today. So here we go...

Never expect someone to do something that you aren't willing to do yourself. 

In my opinion that deserved an area all it's own. At the time I understood it in the context of work. That I'd better be willing to do whatever I told someone else to do. That it wasn't my job to get out of the crappy parts but to lead by example and do the crappy parts with them. Huge piece of advice I can too pass on to you that have a "boss" position because your employees respect you for it and do work harder for you. It's simply a fact from my experience. My dad never used the excuse that I'm the boss I don't have to or I've earned my right not to either and he was the owner. Could work circles around anyone on the job site. Probably because he lived by that piece of advice he gave me himself. 

As I've grown older I realize that it's so much more than work related. I think dad wanted me to realize that all those years ago but hey I was young and dumb what can I say? It is amazing how you can put that saying to action against a lot of decisions you make in life. And if you do, the outcome is so much better. 

For one, relationships. Imagine if every time you wanted to pick apart your better half for something if you asked yourself if you're willing to do the same thing for them in return. You never rub my feet but are you willing to do the same for them? You never text enough but have you text them or just fuming because they haven't text you? What I'm trying to say is as soon as you tell yourself they never...just stop. Now ask yourself have you been willing to do for them what you are about to say they never do for you? You are expecting them to be understanding of your needs but are you willing to be the same for them? How about patient? How about realizing their needs may not be the same as yours and being willing to adjust accordingly?

The same can go for mental illness. Now I'm probably going to get some flak for this and I don't care because contrary to popular belief I still feel entitled to my opinion even if it doesn't reflect yours. Those of us with mental illness can be selfish. I'll say it again. Those of us with mental illness can be selfish. Are you fuming yet? It's ok you'll be fine. I know when I am in crisis mode or the crappy parts of my bipolar, the ol dreaded depression, I've had to lean on my loved ones. They've built me up. Helped me feel better. Was there when I was acting psychotic all the way to I'm the king of the world Leonardo Dicaprio I can do anything in the world because I'm Ryan Sullivan and in my head at that time that means I'm the best thing since sliced bread. Whether I want to admit it or not, I have come to expect some form of 'being there' for me from them. Am I willing to do the same for them? I should because I expect it, right? Here's where I struggle because my problems are real and magnified and I have a diagnosis damn it so how bad can their problem really be? Ever thought that? Are you willing to admit you have? 

We expect people to be there for us but are we willing to do that exact same thing for them? I ask that for the simple fact we all fight to get rid of this stigma related to mental health and that's one of the stereotypes. We're needy but not always there for those that were expect to be there for us. I have to admit I agree. Because I can relate. Because I have a mental illness. I'm guilty of that. Sometimes walking out that door feels like I'm dragging a semi behind me but I ask myself would John or April mom or Bobby or Maria or Sarah or...you get the point...do it for me? Absolutely. Beyond a shadow of a doubt absolutely. So I've started telling myself that I will no longer expect them to do for me what I'm not willing to do myself. 

If I've pissed you off with what I've said I don't apologize. I understand no one mental illness is the same. I've understood that for many many years now but my goal is to keep pushing myself to be better, to make awareness for mental health to be better and to get rid of the stigma and sometimes you have to talk about the bad with the good. And sometimes that bad hits a nerve signaling maybe it's time to self-reflect and make a few changes. 

I spend a lot of time alone both in my personal life and my job so I have a lot of time to build myself up as well as tear myself down. And sometimes that ends up being as simple as don't expect others to do the job of providing me happiness if I'm not willing to do the job of providing it myself. Or respect. Or worth. It's your 'blank' to fill in but it's also a job you must be willing to do yourself. 

I'm not bipolar-I have bipolar

Ryan M Sullivan

A Tribute To My Brother

So this thing happened today. I get a text from my big brother and it says he needs a favor from me so if I ignore the text for awhile that's ok. How can you not laugh and be intrigued with a text that gets right to the point like that? I text him back right away and told him to call me whenever he wants to. He did and my mind was blown right out of the gate with this favor he's wanting done. Little did he know it ended up being the other way around. 

He asked if I would be willing to be the featured writer for his newsletter in May for mental health awareness month. Now I've never asked his permission to use his name or where he works in my blog so I'm not going to but my big brother has a very important job and has used his talents and position to become one of the biggest mental health advocates you'll ever meet. I guess what I'm trying to say is he has met and works with some of the top professionals in this field and I was the one he wanted to write. See what I mean by him doing me the favor?

I have always said and will keep saying that my family has always been my biggest support system. I haven't always been a good little brother but that's never phased him. He's always been ready with a hug and forgiveness when I snap out of it. He's dealt with me as a nasty drunk, manic with impossible ideas pouring out of my brain, depressed to the point that living seemed harder than dying. Being on meds and off and on and off and on and off and...sorry bipolar joke. Had to be there I guess. My point is I've always idolized my brother but I haven't always shown it. 

So I want to kick ass on this article. I want to show my brother that it was worth all of his energy to not give up on me. I want to make him proud. I want him to feel pride when people read it and say that was my little brother. I want to let him know that I don't take this privilege lightly. I want to thank him for loving me to the point that he makes sure mental health gets its due. 

So this is a long overdue tribute to my big brother. He reminds me so much of our dad and I can't think of a better compliment than that. So big brother I love you, I look up to you, some of which because you're taller than me, and I will forever be in awe of you. Thank you for this opportunity. 

I'm not bipolar-I have bipolar

Ryan M Sullivan

It Will Never Make Sense. Never.

I was talking to a friend the other day and they were upset about how they felt they had been there for someone and had tried their best to help a person out and basically got the ol f you in return. Their dilemma was they just couldn't understand how someone would do that to them, that they've been struggling trying to make sense of it. I feel bad for them and gave them the only reply that has made sense to me from being in similar situations. 

It will never make sense. Never. I'm sorry for the bad news but here's why. You aren't that type of person. You would never do that to someone else and because of that you can't relate therefore you will never have a good enough answer to make things better in your mind. It's like looking at a calculus book and trying to figure out why you can't solve the problems when you know nothing about calculus.

 If you value friendships, relationships, whatever label you attatch, then you expect those with those labels to have the same love and loyalty that you do. It hurts when you find out otherwise. You'll try to figure out the whys and hows until you're angry, sad, defeated. Then you'll learn to let go. To let them go. That their actions are no reflection upon who you are as a person but of themselves. 

I keep an extremely small circle and I'm fine with that. Does it mean I spend a lot of time by myself? Absolutely but I am fine with that as well. John and Ape are hands down two of the dearest friends I've ever had the priviledge of calling friends. Amazing, amazing, amazing people. I'd rather have two friends like them forever than a ton of people i may or may not be able to count on. I'm a quality over quantity kind of guy i reckon. 

So you're going to run into people like my friend and it's going to hurt but just remember that just because you are a good and loyal person doesn't mean everyone else has those same values and morals. And please remind yourself that it's not a reflection of who you are as a person...some people just suck. 

So treasure those ones that have your back and you have theirs. They seem to be few and far between anymore. 

I'm not bipolar-I have bipolar

Ryan M Sullivan

Let Me Critique You and Don't Forget To Say I'm Sorry

So I haven't written in awhile and honestly I had a blog typed up saying I was done, it's been real and I'll see y'all later. It had lost its joy for me. I felt that I wrote things I needed to say to keep myself in check but it was being used against me. Every blog is me allowing you into my world. My private space. That's not a brag like I'm something special and have earth-shattering, groundbreaking things to say that people will read while dumbfounded in awe unable to process the amount of knowledge I vomit into my blog. No. It's my truth. It's as simple as that. What I'm about to write for a blog will let you know why I changed my mind. 

I had coffee with my mom this morning and I love our time together. We talk about everything. We talked about gaming I bet for at least 30 minutes this morning because that's one of my passions and she was involved in the conversation first to the end. I love that about her. We talked about my kiddos, my grandson. We talked about my brother and sis and nieces. We talked about her dad and mom. My dad. My girlfriend Stacy and her kiddos. Great conversation. 

It was while talking about Stacy that I said something that has stuck with me all day and now I write this blog. This is where she's going 'oh shit' if she's reading this but bear with me honey you won't be saying that. I told mom that I've learned if something makes me uncomfortable then I tend to label it wrong when that couldn't be farthest from the truth. Here's what I said that I can't get out of my head..."So now that you've sat there while I've critiqued you I'm sure you look at me like I'm the strange one." Doesn't sound profound. The earth didn't move when you read it but it did for me when I said it.

I was telling mom everyone has there own way of doing something. Of handling things. This includes Stacy and that's where that quote comes in. I told mom everyone's entitled to their own opinion and ways of handling this and Stacy probably feels like "So now that you've sat there while I critiqued you....." and boom that's all that keeps running thru my head. 

The very thing I was pissed about and was going to shut my blog down over is the very thing I do to other people. I critique. I knit pick. I question. And I feel more than justified to do all of those but I'm going to get butthurt when those very things are done to me? The questions that were asked over one of my blogs were justified. They needed to be asked if for nothing else than peace of mind for those that asked them. And I applaud you for asking them. I would've wanted those questions asked if it involved my loved one. And I would've wanted answers. Period. 

So after thinking on this most of the day I knew it was time to write again. Remember when I said I write about things to keep myself in check? Well this is a perfect example of exactly that. I've found that things that make me angry when I'm called on them is because there's usually a spark of truth behind them. I was angry because the questions asked needed to be asked. I was angry because there's a reason they needed to be asked. I was angry at myself. 

Stacy is an amazing person. She truly is and I'm grateful to have her in my life. She cheers for the man in me I can't see. She becomes my legs when I say I can't do this walk called life anymore. When I feel alone all I have to do is turn my head because she is always by my side. So maybe I need to say I love you instead of pointing out what I think is wrong. Say thank you instead of finding fault. Listen instead of critiquing. In short, shut the hell up every now and then. 

Meds are going great ( pill box Stacy lol ). Derek is still one of the most amazing men I've ever had the privilege of knowing and life is good in general. God knows this guy is still a work in progress I'm just fortunate for the people that haven't lost interest in this marathon we call bipolar that I've been blessed with. Yes that is totally sarcasm and I'm not sorry:)

I'm not bipolar-I have bipolar

Ryan M Sullivan

Maybe It's Time To Flip the Switch

I haven't written in awhile and maybe I shouldn't be now but I claim to only write when I have something to say and I'm sitting in an empty house right now and I'm tired of talking to myself. 

I quit my job. I couldn't handle the traveling anymore and being away from home. I felt like I was suppose to be here for everyone around me and if I knew what I know know I'd never have left. I think I've done more harm than good. Former co-workers might be reading this right now and what can I say, you were right. I thought having a substantial amount of money in the bank meant security and everything would fall into place. Nope. I've failed. 

I went on a four or five day bender, it's kinda foggy, and have done everything in my power to hurt everyone around me. I've been a verbally abusive, mean, angry piece of shit. I've been sporadic with my medication. I haven't given one fuck. And I'm not going to apologize for my language because frankly I'm tired of apologizing at this point. 

I have hurt someone I claimed I love to the moon and back forever and a day. I can't take that back. I can't. I can't take back how I feel sitting in this empty house either. I can't take back how I feel abandoned. I'm sitting here alone. It is what it is, right? That is exactly right. I'm sitting here alone. So alone I will be. 

I've learned I am who I am and it's not good most of the time. I think I convinced myself this time is different but I am classic at burning everything around me to the ground and sometimes you just have to let it burn itself out and realize there's nothing you can do about it. 

So I think for the best of everyone involved it's time to flip that switch and move on with life. Sometimes someone is too good of a person to make that move so I'll do it for them. 

I have no uplifting ending to this blog, just honesty and real life. Sometimes that's the best medicine. 

Some People Wear Capes

I felt like after my last blog, I'd give everyone an update. As I've said before, I try to stay positive but sadly that isn't the nature of bipolar all the time. Or human nature honestly. We all have our ups and downs and I was struggling with a low I haven't had for awhile. 

With that being said, I finally had my appointment with Derek and he's my version of a superhero cape and all. He immediately recognized that one of the meds I was on was the culprit for how I was feeling and immediately did something about it. He listens and by listening he's able to give me amazing care and treatment. By listening to him, I'm able to give myself amazing care and treatment. 

Right now I'm only on lithium at an elevated dose so I can get to a good therapeutic range and I feel outstanding. I haven't felt this good in a long time and didn't realize how worn down I was until I started feeling good. 

Being bipolar is no picnic but there is zero reason to make it worse than it needs to be. Be vocal with with your doctor. If they don't listen to you then I'm sorry go find someone that will. Only you know you and you're in charge. I think some caregivers forget that. If you're feeling good then don't let them mess it up. If you aren't, then make sure they help you. We aren't textbooks that all read the same so they can't treat everyone the same. If the guy painting your house changed colors on you you'd say something so do the same for your body. 

I'm fortunate to have found Derek. I don't know if he flies to work or just drives but he's my superhero either way. I feel fantastic and I appreciate all the encouragement I received during my darkness. I hope I can be that same encouragement for someone in their time of need. 

Thank you to my kids- Ashlyn, Braden and Nym who constantly have my back. I'd be lost without Stacy who is vigilant in this battle with me. My mom is a rock that never breaks. My big brother Bobby and sis Maria have put up with me for years and still do for some reason but I love them to death. Brynnie Poo and Emmy make this uncle feel like the best in the world. My other sister Sarah has had my back with a ferocity of no other. I enjoy the conversations and encouragement I get with Emily. I don't mean to leave anyone out because I could write a blog just thanking people over the years. I am truly blessed, I love y'all and thank you for wearing a cape everytime I'm around you. 

I'm not bipolar-I have bipolar

Ryan M Sullivan

Today Lasted 365 Days

I'm struggling. Today is tommorow and tomorrow is yesterday. I was doing good, maybe even great, and now here I stand battling the thousands of hours that seem to stand in the way of moving on to a different day. 

I posted a poem I wrote earlier and I feel that's the closest yet I've been able to describe the madness I call my life. I love to say I'm ok because maybe if I say it enough I will be. I'm 43 and I still play the game after all these years but what choice do I have? Succumb to the negative? Believe the feelings I have? Buy into what the voices in my head are selling? So all I feel is madness sometimes and that is starting to feel like the norm. 

I have to worry about what's happening in my head at any given time while worrying about what I'm doing at work and how I'm acting at work. Do you know how exhausting that is because I really don't think the average person does. Then add when I'm not at work. Then add the average person doesn't want to hear my problems even if I want to talk about them so it's easier to say everything is just fucking peachy. 

Once again, I try to write positive things about how I'm kicking bipolar in the ass but this round I'm not winning. I'm backed in a corner and want to throw in the towel. I went to the liquor store and bought a bottle after work. I want numb. I want escape. I'm tired of pills and I'm tired of being me. I'm tired. Period. 

I'm laying in bed not drinking and that pisses me off. I've every intention of getting drunk but just can't. I'm 43. I'm an adult. What's stopping me? Am I going to get grounded? Put in time-out? It's the voices of encouragement past. The feeling of being proud of myself when I hit these dark spots in life and turn away. I know it'll help me escape today but I can't escape tomorrow. 

I don't want this blog to be positive. I want it to be real and this is my reality. I see Derek on Thursday. I don't know what that session will bring but I know I'm going to pour my reality out and let him sort it out because that's what he's good at. Because today I'm struggling and there's still tomorrow left. 

If you're struggling, reach out for help. Call a number, phone a friend, call your therapist. Talk to someone. The positive in this, see there I go, is you are not alone. You. Are. Not. Alone. 

I'm not bipolar-I have bipolar

Ryan M Sullivan

 

I Woke Up Bipolar Again

I woke up pretty early this morning and the obsessing and anger started setting in pretty quick. Paranoia. All the fun stuff and I couldn't figure out what was going on until I realized I woke up with bipolar again. Like I do every morning. Damn it. 

I've been journaling like crazy and I've cracked open my poetry book and have writing like crazy which I'll be posting later. And yes I write poetry and no I don't care if you find it anything but positive for me. I haven't made it this far by caring what people think of me. So anyway I told you I'm angry. 

The anger stems from the obsessing and vice versa. They're like kissing cousins, no matter how many times you tell them to stay away from each other they just seem to find a way. So we're moving and I am just going over every little thing in my head and basically driving myself nuts. Then that gets me thinking about my bipolar and how I swallow those damn pills every morning and night so why do I still feel this way? Luckily I see Derek this morning but I don't understand. Am I this special nutjob that has this special bipolar that means I get special nothingness from treatment?

I really have to watch myself when I'm like this because I have little to no patience which means I get mean and condescending pretty quick and everyone really enjoys that Ryan says no one ever. Well that gets exhausting. I know how that sounds. Exhausting being a nice human being shouldn't be an option it should just come natural but it doesn't when I'm like this. I'm not proud of it but at least I can admit it which means I work hard at not being that guy. I don't like being mean to Stacy or my family because guess what? They're the ones that love and care about me the most but guess what? They're the ones that get the brunt of my bipolar.  

I work my ass off to not use bipolar as a crutch to be an asshole but it's tiring. It was so much easier when I lost my temper and let whomever deal with it because I didn't care. It was so much easier to get wasted until I get better while destroying everything around me. It would be easier to quit my job when I'm struggling to walk out the front door because of what's going on in my head knowing I have 10 hours that day to keep it together. A lot of things are easier if I'd just give up. I can't and that angers me but for once it's a good anger. It's a motivator. 

So I woke up with bipolar this morning. I have this crazy intuition I will tomorrow too. Am I happy about that? No but I've learned that doesn't fix the problem. Taking my meds even when I feel this way does though. Talking to Stacy, my mom, family, Derek- all of those do. Not letting bipolar control my entire life, check as well. I don't have to like that I have bipolar thank God but I do have to acknowledge it because only then can I take the steps needed to control it instead of vice versa. 

So if you're struggling, you aren't alone. If you think you don't need your meds, you do. Find somebody you trust to talk to. It's worth it's weight in gold. I'm proud of everyone struggling that won their battle. You're a rockstar. 

I'm not bipolar-I have bipolar

Ryan M Sullivan

Maniacally Awake So Let's Go Shopping

So it's day one billion with hardly any sleep but I'm loving my creative side with my writings. It's the impulse shopping I would love to do that's got me nervous. 

So to get the question answered right out of the gate, no I still haven't taken my sleeping pills. Why you ask? Well because this kid is going full blown manic and damn how I've missed it. I've had the warning signs but I've ignored them. No point in having this blog if I'm not going to be honest. 

Voices. When they start getting worse I know my brain is going to start hitting overdrive. Don't get me wrong, no sleep isn't helping matters but they seem to talk more when mania is setting in. My name seems to be the favorite topic to yell at me for the time being and man am I enjoying that. 

Medication. Should've probably been number one but I didn't want to talk about it but I have to. No I haven't been consistent the last few weeks. Have I stopped altogether um hell no but consistency is just as important. Especially with lithium. My Abilify got screwed up with insurance yada yada and by the time I got it I'm sure it was completely out of my system so I'm having to start over. I'm back on track but in the meantime hello mania. 

With the virus going around I came into work with a cough and to me sinus issues but as a precaution I've been quarantined from work until the outcome of my doc appointment this morning. Hoping that turns out being nothing more than the good ol crud but now I've had extra time on my hands to try and not buy stuff. The desire to spend mass amounts of money hasn't plagued me in quite awhile but I really want to make up for lost time. 

So with the above being said it may be time to hand my debit card over to Stacy until I am back on the road. I get obsessive. If I buy one travel backpack for my gaming systems then 17 backpacks would obviously be better. Never know when one might need 17 gaming backpacks. Or multiple bottles of the same shower soap. Yes I can only use one at a time but the option to use two or more is definitely something to consider. Or another coffee maker but this one has a carafe as well and looks cool. No mine isn't broken but you're completely missing the point. 

On the bright side, I've become obsessed with my credit and getting any little derogatory remarks off. So I guess my point is I don't only engage in harmful or risky behaviors but too much of a good thing....you know the saying. I just want to be able to walk down the middle of the sidewalk instead of one side or the other. It's the extremes that are exhausting. I don't need 10 hours of sleep but more than one would be neat. I don't want to be a tightwad but I don't need to empty my bank account either. I want an amazing credit score but I've got to quit obsessing over it. Happy mediums. I imagine that way if living is neat too. 

So I'm going to take a sleeping pill tonight. It's going to be a battle and I'm going to go ahead and admit I'll work up a thousand excuses and may or may not act like a 5 year old child when the time comes but I will take one. I'm already getting irritated just thinking about giving up this mania. Which is all I need to know on if I should take a sleeping pill tonight or not. Because once I go full blown there's no turning back until it's run its course and guilt, remorse and embarrassment usually come hang out for awhile afterwards. I think I'll pass. 

I'm not bipolar-I have bipolar

R. M. Sully aka Ryan Sullivan

Sleepless In Salina

Haha how convenient that I work in a town that started with S is that? Probably not as cool than if I lived in Seattle but I don't so work with me here. Yup. 

So I'm on night three I think it is with 2 hours or less of sleep so I have that going for me. Thing is I don't feel tired or irritated about it. I'm not wishing I was asleep, in fact, quite the contrary. I enjoy the night hours. I mean, I just completely rearranged my apartment and what better time than the midnight hours to get that important piece work done? I have to work today, I know I'm suppose to be off but my boss did me a solid by letting me come in because I missed work due to Ashlyn....GIVING ME MY FIRST GRANDBABY!! I just wish I could get excited about it. But what I was getting at is I won't feel tired at work so I don't feel like it's a big deal. Maybe. 

I saw Derek last Friday I think (maybe I do need sleep) and that went well. He started me back on my Abilify as a compliment to my lithium again. Damned ol obsessing, anger, delusional bipolar bullcrap thing I've got going on. Still. Really thought I would be the first person cured of bipolar by now. I'm kind of a big deal damn it. Haven't I told you? Well don't worry, I will. I also do what I want. Stacy hasn't heard either of these statements a billion times before. Million probably but definitely not billion. Yeah so anyway, it went well. I think I'm a looney tune and he helps convince me I'm not every time and when though I joke I'm being serious. It's easy for me to get so frustrated that I begin to believe I'm crazy. That I'm abnormal. That I need to be locked up. Wait not need but will be. And that scares me. He calms me down and puts my mind at ease. I seriously love that guy and I don't think he understands completely how much he's helped me. Best email I ever sent (thanks Mom for telling me that the other day) and this is the best I've ever done with managing my bipolar. 

So I've noticed the voices seem to have come back more frequent and for good measure there's a random one that says hi or other one word sayings. Pretty cool when you say hi back to a co-worker just to find out they never said hi in the first place. That's what we call...awwwwwwwkward. I'm repeating words or sounds until my brain says that I'm off the hook. One of my coworkers calls it my alien talk. I guess that's cool that I speak alien but also frustrating at the same time. Anger. Oh that nasty little SOB. Over stupid stuff too. I like to think it's do to a culmination of this going on as I've been listing that gets me frustrated and then turns to anger. I haven't decided but that's what I'm leaving towards. Ok I lied that's what Derek told me but I wanted to sound smart. 

So I've listed what's going on and I am frustrated and down right angry at times but have you also read how blessed I am? I'm a papa. I'm a dad. I have an amazing girlfriend.  I have great friends like John, Ape and Sarah to name a few. I have an amazing family. I have a job. At said job, I work with the most understanding guys I could ask for. I mean they call it alien talk instead of telling me I'm a freak. My boss has to be the most understanding guy and works with me beyond what any bids should have to. I have Derek to help guide me along this often trying trip called bipolar. I'm a lucky guy. 

So when I feel like this thing called bipolar is beating me down and I have nothing, I can go back and read this blog as a reminder of the good things because it's so much easier to focus on the bad sometimes. Or all the time. So I'm sleepless in Salina this week but maybe next week when I'm here I'll be sleeping.

I'm not bipolar-I have bipolar

R. M. Sully aka Ryan M Sullivan

I'm Sorry But Which Ryan Am I Speaking With?

I'm still here. I've wanted to write but haven't had the ability to it seems. I've had the want and the topics and the desire but have lacked in the area of acting upon it. I've been struggling a bit. Not all at once but the small pieces seem to come together like a puzzle in the end to create one big masterpiece of chaos. Nothing you'd enjoy to hang on your wall I'm afraid. 

I haven't been journaling until recently either and I know that doesn't help. Getting my thoughts on paper has always been a release for me but not taking the avenues that lead to stability have been a hindrance as well in my dealings with bipolar. I'm feeling good so why maintain a routine that got me there?

As I write this I just want to delete it. I feel like I'm rambling as a thousand strands of thought race thru my mind every second. I'm struggling to stay on track. I missed my med appointment with Derek and every time I call I get the secretary's voicemail. Do I leave a voicemail? Of course not because it infuriates me I'm getting voicemail instead of a human. So much better not to have an appointment than to leave what I want on a machine. Right? That's the proper way to handle that situation isn't it? I mean it leads to me rambling on my blog and feeling like I or someone anyway wants to crawl out of my skin so good job Ryan. Whichever Ryan that happens to be.

I know everything I'm going thru right now is part of my bipolar. Even on medication. That's what's frustrating is I demand perfection. I take my meds so why do I still get the bad parts? I mean the pills mean a 100% promise that I won't have to still be bipolar, right? That I won't have days I have to struggle or hate everything for no reason or want to quit my job and go live in the woods and disappear. I won't struggle with the paranoia or voices or all the other "crazy" shit I've tried to hide or be embarrassed of in the past. 

I always try to remain positive as I've come too far in the past year and a half or so to give up. I thought about it last night as I sat down at a bar and decided pills for me use to come in the form of a pint. I wanted to drink a lot of those pills but instead I got up and left. I made the choice to get up, walk out the door and go home. I did that. Me. Instead I made a delicious stew and went to bed. So as my title asks which Ryan am I speaking with it's honestly hard to tell sometimes but that's the Ryan that is serious about controlling his bipolar and not taking the easy way out. It's easy to get drunk and get some short-lived relief but dealing with the aftermath lasts so much longer. So I'm going to struggle until it gets better and hate every minute of it but at least guilt isn't part of that struggle this morning. 

So I'm going to call Derek's office and leave a voicemail. I don't have to like it, I just have to do it. 

I'm not bipolar-I have bipolar

R. M. Sully

It Only Took 42 Years

Damn it's been awhile but I've been itching to write so here I am again. There's been quite a bit that's gone on in the past few months so let's get started.

My job transferred me to Salina for the next year and a half or so and I've been here since July 1. Maybe not a big deal to some but this is the first time I've lived outside Emporia where I grew up since I was 2. Freaks me the hell out sometimes I must admit but I have enjoyed the different variety of restaurants and things to do here. I actually really like Salina. So much that I've got an apartment now here as well as Emporia. Not bad for a guy that was fine never leaving Emporia. My mom and Stacy helped me move in so that helped tremendously.

Did I mention Stacy? Oh my I guess I did. That would happen to be my girlfriend. At 42 if feels weird using the word girlfriend as if I'm talking to my buddies in the locker banks in high school pointing out the chick I'm dating. Yeah bro that's my girlfriend. So are you going to the dance Friday night? Yeah me either. So anyway, yeah, that's what she is-my girlfriend.

I was explaining to my mom how I felt about her and here's the best way I could describe it: she's my magnet. I said do you know how it is when you've lost a puzzle piece and your searching for it and then when you find it everything feels complete? Stacy was my lost puzzle piece and now my life is complete. It's a great feeling.

She's an amazing person. Patient, kind, selfless. I could go on and on but you get the point. She is everything I've wanted but thought I would never have. Didn't deserve. She's convinced me otherwise. She helps me more than I could ever reciprocate I'm sure but I'm forever grateful.

I have a med appointment today. I'm frustrated and hopefully that gets fixed by talking with Derek. Lithium is still doing me good but my sleep or lack of it is back. Other things are back. I've handled some last minute changes the past week better than I ever have in my life but it's the other stuff that's hard to deal with. Paranoia. Voices. Obsessing. Drives me crazy and I hate being like this and it starts bringing me down. Derek will help me.

I try to stay positive and I have a lot of positives in my life. I got to see all three of my wonderful kiddos Friday and I saw Justin Furstenfeld do his Open Book tour. In time I hope to meet Stacy's kids in person. They seem like great kids and I know they make Stacy proud so it'll be my pleasure to meet them.

So it only took 42 years but I have a job I absolutely love, my magnet I absolutely love, my family whose love has no bottom to it including my amazing children who all happen to be adults now and Derek. Life is good on all levels and I'm not sure I've had the pleasure of saying that about myself. It's about time.

I'm not bipolar-I have bipolar
R. M. Sully