Steps to blending into normality

[white knight]

I've decided this week to embark upon my last stage of my own development to blending into normality. More on that later.

The baby steps taken from 2009 onwards has been only remarkable in that I have insight hence I'm one of "the lucky ones".

• Identifying there is a possible mental illness
• GP visit followed by his/her referrals
• Taking and tweeking medications
• Ongoing therapy
• Life changes like environment, career, choices of friends and family
• Period of stability
• Coping strategies.

My coping strategies up till now and beyond include e.g. if stressed in a shopping complex I'll inform my wife I'm going for a walk. I'll lower anxiety and risk of any bipolar fuming going on. This week I've decided to take the next step- to tolerate the stress, inform my wife that I'm going through some stress and am uncomfortable (I call it an "episode") but in the future my plan is to not walk off but to remain nearby and "tune out" which will involve the following-

• My wife to not react to my frustrations
• For me to mentally distract myself
• To deep breathe
• Be opportunistic

The last one is most interesting. An asset I have is a sense of humor. Recently while my wife browsed the underwear section I was getting stressed (the only male swarmed by ladies holding bras!). Then I had a fleeting thought- wouldn't bras make great slingshots. I laughed to myself and so did my wife once I told her. I realised my stress level lowered.

Some observers have told me over the years "you should lighten up". Rather than get angry at that I'll take it on board and see if I can introduce humor in my own treatment of stress.

What do you think?

TonyWK

[Sean_S]

Hey Tony,

I loved that story, very funny. You're right that humor and not taking things too seriously can sometimes flip a switch. I've experienced that too. It's like you turned the situation into an advantage. I'm going to try not to forget that, now that you've reminded me of it.

Informing your wife that you are going to go for a walk when you're triggered strikes me as a really good strategy. To be now expanding on that, moving to an even higher level of competence is impressive.

I hope to be able to follow a similar path.

Sean

[missep123]

Hi Tony!

This was really awesome to read. What an amazing reflection and it sounds like you have come so far!

I really like your idea of adding humour into your life. I want to start doing this more too! Being able to laugh at things definitely helps to lighten the mood and I feel like it gets the 'feel good' hormones going!

Please keep us updated! I really liked reading about your progress 🙂

[white knight]

Thankyou Sean Anand Missep

I have to attribute my love of humor to Billy Connolly. My wife and I have been following him for many years..

He has a slant on every situation and slowly I've been creating humour out of serious situations.

When my daughter's were young they lived cheese too much. So I told them that excess cheese finds its way to your right butt. The problem with that is it makes you heavier one side and that bad news... one 8yo daughter asked "why is it bad news dad"...

"Because my lovely...you begin to walk in circles... and that won't work in running races at school"

They believed it for years. 🙂 I was assured of some cheese for my sandwiches.

Even in adversity Billy shines. He us now in advanced Parkinson's disease yet he continues to make others laugh. Making other people laugh is almost important as understanding their challenges.

TonyWK

[missep123]

Hi Tony!

I think that's wonderful how you have incorporated humour into your life. I also find Billy Connolly hilarious! The fact that he has advanced Parkinson's and is still able to make light of life is truly amazing. I think that honestly takes so much strength.