What I Know about Myself.

• I try hard.
• I'm obsessive.
• I could be better.
• My expectations are often too high.
• I have bipolar disorder.
• I have panic disorder.
• I'm a terrible test taker.
• I usually seek undivided attention from those closest to me.
• I can live without soda, but I don't want to.
• I have a shopping problem when I'm manic.
• I'm smart, even if the tests disagree.
• I have a sweet name even though it has some bad associations.
• I'll be on medication for the rest of my life.
• I'll probably be in therapy for the rest of my life.
• I'm somehow both nicer and meaner (maybe fiercer is better) than I was ten years ago.
• I'm quite introverted. 
• I'm extremely passionate and need safe, healthy outlets.
• I became a pretty good dresser.
• At many points, I was a great teacher.
• I'm a picky eater.
• [Yet] I'm overweight.
• I may never again be as thin as I was before I started taking lithium.
• I have too much fear inside me.
• I'm much healthier as the stay-home mother and advocate than I would be if I had a job out in the world.
• I'm a makeup lover.
• I rarely expect products (conditioners, lip balms, acne treatments) to work.
• Glitter lights me up.
• I'm a believer, even though I don't go to church.
• I do most things to excess or not at all.
• Gifts are my love language.
• I can be a good gift-giver.
• I can be a good storyteller.
• I am full of stories.