Tag Archives: new beginnings

Friends

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You may have noticed that I’ve been posting more information about other authors and books lately. I hope you are finding these posts helpful and that you know that I am doing it because I find these things helpful and I want you to have other perspectives.

As I was building this website, I realized that I needed information from a variety of sources and as I located helpful books and websites, I started introducing myself to the writers. We have a lot in common and although many of them have moved past the isolation I’ve been in, they do understand. We are becoming friends.

I don’t have a lot of friends because having a bipolar partner can make it hard to get out with other people and impossible to make plans. I’m an introvert by nature, so I didn’t think I needed friends. But it’s sure nice to have them.

Maybe you’ve been isolated by being in a bipolar relationship. Even people who make friends easily can have trouble maintaining friendships when the things they are dealing with are hard to talk about or hard for people to understand. I know that. I also know that we all need people we can talk with comfortably and share our hopes, dreams, fears and problems.

You’ve probably heard all the usual advice like join a club or take a class, but it’s the usual advice because it works–if those things are available and you can get away.  If you can’t get away or there aren’t appropriate groups in your neighborhood, try making friends online. You can post on this page if you want someone who gets the bipolar thing, or any of the many email support groups. You can go to a forum online on any topic that interests you and introduce yourself. You’ll find plenty of people with common interests. Exchange email addresses with people after you get to know them from public posts and go from there.

Even if it seems like you know a person quickly online, do be careful. Sometimes things are not as they appear and it is easy to post things online that might not be absolutely true. Give it time. Check out other places where your new friend might post and see if their posts are consistent. If something doesn’t feel right, step back and think about it. Those gut feelings are usually right.

You may never meet online friends in person, but you may find that on your next trip across the country you have a place to stop for coffee with someone who has never seen you but knows you and cares about you. It’s good to have a few friends of your own.

Don’t be a stranger. I’m out here making new friends.

 

 

Starting Over

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Bonnie Rice

Every once in a while, we come to a point in our lives where we’d like to start over with a clean slate and an opportunity to fill the blank page with a new story. Today is my day.

I fully intend to get all of my old articles rewritten and posted on this website and in time it will represent my life’s work–going forward and backward from today–but today I just want to enjoy my clean slate.

If you are one of the people who has a bipolar partner and you want more information on how to live a great life in spite of or because of that fact–check out LOVE HAS ITS UPS AND DOWNS and come back regularly to this site. We will cover a lot of ground on that topic.  Look for the “bipolar spouse” category.

If you are a writer, especially a non-fiction writer, and you want to learn about my work as a writer and about the things I am learning as I write and publish my books and maintain my blog and submit articles to other publishers you’ll want to check in here, too. Look for the “writer” category.

If you are struggling with organizing your time or your space or your finances, this will also be a good resource. I’ve learned that being organized in ways that are helpful to you and fit your lifestyle is possible even if having a spotless house and money in the bank isn’t. I’ve helped hundreds of people find more peace and prosperity in their lives without totally reworking their lifestyle or winning the lottery. I can help you, too. Look for the “home organization” or “frugal living” category.

Friday March 16, 2012 marks the last day that I worked as a clerk at Walgreens. Monday March 19, 2012 is the first day of the rest of my life. If you are considering quitting your day job or leaving some other toxic situation to start a new life for yourself, you have come to the right place. Join me as I step into a new life full of possibility and dreams. We can make it. Look for the “new beginnings” category.