04/09/2026
“They say you’re just like your (bipolar) grandmother”
Ouch, just ouch.
I tend to take it as a compliment when anyone tells me I’m like my crazy Irish relatives or my wild as bipolar grandmother.
I’ll happily compare myself to my grandmothers, both had great style and a fiery attitude!
However, it does hurt to hear that my family remembers Odelle’s wild shenanigans and chooses to compare me to Grandmother Duckett at her worst.
Yeah sure, there are similarities in our manic and depressive episodes, but that doesn’t mean that we are the same or that what works for her will work for me… or what didn’t work for her won’t work for me.
Thankfully, it also doesn’t mean that I’m going to have a lifelong battle with manic depression like she did. In and out of facilities being involuntarily committed by family.
Why? Because she got hyper and wanted to throw a party because she woke up to get going “as soon as the first Christmas lights popped on”… now what is wrong with that? Nothing. Grandmothers Duckett could be ornery as hell, but she wouldn’t have hurt a fly. She did hurt my feelings when she was manic, so I’m acutely aware that I have been known to do the same.
We can definitely choose to learn from our ancestors and our own past to help us achieve greater balance, I truly believe that.
Now, if you have anyone in your life that makes you feel like there is something wrong with you because you are on the bipolar spectrum, then just remind them that it’s a spectrum and they are on it too lol.
If you signed up for social media thinking we could have some like minded friends, I’m right there with you!
I’d just love for you to follow me on my private account on IG if you need a place for community and connection and discussion and stigma slaying!!!
The one thing that’s guaranteed to make my bipolar symptoms worse? Isolating and not talking about it, bc if you don’t let it out it stays in. Internalizing our anxiety and depression has got to stop!
My page is a place I hope you’ll find your tribe and a place to continue to grow and heal alongside me! Let’s ROLL.
❤️🩹
