Bipolar Mum Journey

Having bipolar disorder means we often lack impulse control, especially when it comes to spending money. During a hypomanic state, we might find ourselves reaching for the phone to make online purchases. Often, we get inspired by a business idea, and before we know it, supplies for the next grand project are arriving at our door.

I vividly remember a time when my partner used to work away from home. I ordered four crates of returned items from Argos: baby items, electronics, garden supplies, etc. The entire street had to be closed off until I could unload each pallet and store the items in my tiny two-bedroom miners’ house.

People approached me on the street, asking to buy things before I could even put them away. I sold the rest online, and to be honest, it was a successful venture. However, once the excitement wore off, I moved on to the next business idea.

Furniture! It was the shabby chic and upcycling era. Once again, the house was filled with junk I had picked up from second-hand furniture stores. I upcycled the furniture and sold it at a good rate. But after a few months, boredom set in, and I was off to the next hypomanic scheme.

With bipolar disorder, we love to buy things, and it’s not just one of something we will multibuy the same item in different colours and styles. We stockpile cleaning products and other things we don’t need. One day, you might wake up to DJ equipment in your living room because we’ve decided we’re going to be Ibiza’s next best DJ. Bipolar disorder is exhausting, but it can also lead to success. Don’t underestimate your illness, Ibiza can always use another DJ.