real talk: what living with bipolar is *actually* like

how to properly love yourself and the ones around you (& my inevitable thought spiraling)

This week’s episode is raw, honest, and a little all over the place. I’m opening up about how I’ve actually been doing lately: not the polished version, but the messy, in-my-head, thought-spiraling version. From navigating bipolar disorder to dealing with uncertainty in my career, relationships, and mental health, this past week has been a lot y'all... I share how it feels when everything seems to hit at once: therapy isn't easily accessible, uncertainty around a long-distance relationship and a slipping job opportunity, and the anxiety of not knowing what’s next. I dive into coping strategies, too. I share what I want for myself—routine, discipline, genuine happiness without forcing it—and how far that can feel from where I am right now. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, uncertain, or like your thoughts are spiraling faster than you can keep up with, you’re not alone. I hope this episode makes you feel seen—and maybe a little less in your head 🤍

real talk: what living with bipolar is *actually* like

In this episode, I share what it’s really like living with bipolar I. It isn't just about "highs and lows"; it’s subtle shifts, early warning signs, and learning how to live a full life anyway. I talk about hypomanic bursts of creativity and sleepless energy to manic episodes that quietly distort reality, and the long stretches of feeling completely normal. I break down how I learned to recognize early warning signs, what medication changed for me, and why most days I’m just… a regular person. Blending personal experience with neuroscience and research, this episode explores what mania, hypomania, and bipolar depression actually feel like inside the mind.

so you’re diagnosed, now what?

I share the story of how my life unraveled—and slowly began to come back together—during my final months of college. What started as anxiety about graduation and chronic sleep deprivation escalated into my first full manic episode just two weeks before I was supposed to graduate. I talk about warning signs I ignored, a spring break trip to Texas where my delusions took over, and the fear and confusion that followed as I was hospitalized multiple times and ultimately diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This episode explores what mania actually looked like for me, the disbelief and stigma I faced around my diagnosis, and why accepting help was so difficult. I also talk about hitting breaking points and how those moments forced me to confront the reality that this wasn’t a “one-time accident.” Finally, I reflect on what recovery has looked like since. Episode 1 sets the foundation for the podcast—an honest look at mental illness, recovery, and what it means to rebuild your life while learning to live with bipolar disorder. IG: @forthelazies