Crazy In Love

I believe it is not possible to overestimate the importance of support, friendship and love. This is particularly true when living with mental illness. I get some incredible support from a few really amazing people, including close friends and a lovely boyfriend. Meeting other people with similar conditions helps a lot; it's comforting to talk about the little nuances of my condition with others who have been there and know what I'm talking about. Although I try to be as supportive and encouraging as I can to those who are sharing this experience with me, I find reaching out to people and asking for help pretty difficult. I find it extremely difficult to make friends; I have two best friends whom I've known since school, but other than that I don't really know.This is why it's so important that I have someone I can trust, with whom I have a strong bond.

I'm lucky enough to be in a loving and supportive (if rather new) relationship, and that helps more than I can describe. If I ever can't face attending a medical appointment alone, I don't have to. If I need to talk, I have someone to listen. If I'm too exhausted to last the entire day without sleeping, I can have a nap. If all I need is a cup of tea and a hug, I get them. My problems can make me very difficult to be with, because I'm impatient, unpredictable, stubborn, selfish and needy. This is met with love, affection and tolerance; it's almost frustrating how incapable I am of expressing the amount of gratitude I feel. There are people who don't have the kind of love I have, and I know what it's like to try and cope like that because that used to be me, and it drove me even more insane than I already was. Being listened to and cared for is a very refreshing feeling. It makes me feel safe. Nothing is insurmountable any more, we can talk about anything, and I am so fortunate to have that in my life. Sometimes this is overlooked, and I focus more on the stress and worry and negativity that comes with my circumstances. I forget to say thank you for the positives. I thought today might be a good day to do that.