This is one of those days I have to force myself to write.
It's Friday, I don't have anything I have to leave the house for today, it's going to be 94 degrees (F; 34.5 degrees C) out, I'm wrestling with Gaia's Hands, have no ideas for a new short story ...
And I'm feeling a little down. I'm wondering if there's such a thing as micromood swings, or if it's just the heat getting to me. I'm not depressed or anything; just not feeling like I'm on the verge of something wonderful happening.
But still I write. And that's the important thing, to write even when it feels like the last thing I want to do. Just a small amount will do -- just a blog post, just an hour. Just a submission. Just a moment of creation.
Neither my feelings of defeat nor my feelings of impending success actually presage the future; they are simply extrapolations of feelings that may be influenced by my strange chemistry. My actions, however, are what's important. Without stepping forward, I have no chance of success.
Showing posts with label mood swings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mood swings. Show all posts
Friday, July 19, 2019
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Ups and Downs of Writing
The first thing I'll do here is break a taboo -- I have a mood disorder. Specifically Bipolar 2 -- half the mania, twice the depression. No, I'm not crazy -- I have wonky biology. Just like you do.
Is there a link between bipolar and creativity? Collingwood (2017) reports that there have been many creative people known to be bipolar, but that this may be due to a third variable. She also points out that people with bipolar disorder are more productive and creative when they are managing their condition.
This has been my experience. I could not have written a novel without my medications, which is why I'm a late bloomer (I wasn't diagnosed till five years ago). Self-maintenance activities such as regular sleep, eating regularly, not overworking myself, and avoiding alcohol supports my creativity as well. In other words, all those things creatives are reported not to do.
My imagination still functions with all of this -- better, even. Thanks for reading.
I hope you find
at the end of the day
that the yammering words
chained and rechained in the switchyard
fade into a night of indigo
with the texture of a cotton eiderdown.
Collingsworth, J. (2017). The link between bipolar and creativity. Available: https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-link-between-bipolar-disorder-and-creativity/ [April 27, 2017].
Is there a link between bipolar and creativity? Collingwood (2017) reports that there have been many creative people known to be bipolar, but that this may be due to a third variable. She also points out that people with bipolar disorder are more productive and creative when they are managing their condition.
This has been my experience. I could not have written a novel without my medications, which is why I'm a late bloomer (I wasn't diagnosed till five years ago). Self-maintenance activities such as regular sleep, eating regularly, not overworking myself, and avoiding alcohol supports my creativity as well. In other words, all those things creatives are reported not to do.
My imagination still functions with all of this -- better, even. Thanks for reading.
I hope you find
at the end of the day
that the yammering words
chained and rechained in the switchyard
fade into a night of indigo
with the texture of a cotton eiderdown.
Collingsworth, J. (2017). The link between bipolar and creativity. Available: https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-link-between-bipolar-disorder-and-creativity/ [April 27, 2017].
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