One of the reasons that people with bipolar disorder get so depressed is that they dwell on the past too much. I think at least one of the reasons I do so well with my bipolar is that I'm always looking forward - I no longer dwell on my past.
It's ok if a past memory comes up and you want to visit it for a little while - just don't spend too much time on it, or it will draw you back there, and the next thing you know you'll be feeling discontent with your present, even depressed.
I learned about living in the present when I took Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), which teaches about mindfulness. Mindfulness teaches you to live in the moment, to experience what you're living in the now, without going back to the past. It teaches you to leave your past behind, where it belongs.
Today my life is so much better than it used to be. I enjoy each and every day that I am stable and not having to battle with bipolar episodes. Those belong to my past, and I have no desire to go back there. If I have a bad day, a thought might come to me that I might be going into an episode, but with my mindfulness training, i just remind myself that I'm living in the present now, and in my present are no bipolar episodes. See how it works?
Dark days belong in the past, not in the present. You've worked too hard to get where you are. Don't go back and visit your dark days any more. That was your past, and it's gone. Leave it alone. The past is passed.
Now is the time for you to enjoy your present and to look forward. There is so much good to look forward to. If you're not where you'd like to be yet, be patient - you'll get there. It just gives you something to look forward to. My husband likes to call those "yets."
The main thing is that you enjoy your present and look forward to your future. And that you leave your past where it belongs - in your past. Today is a new page you have yet to write in the book of your life - make the most of it!
Don't forget to check out my bipolar book at: www.brokenroseministries.com
Wishing you peace and stability,
Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele
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