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Geoffe's avatar

Coming at a memoir about bipolar disorder from the perspective of a twin is an interesting twist. It’s like the two of you are bi-bipolar or something. Haha

A hearty welcome from another bipolar Substacker hoping to “write from the scar, not the wound!” I think we actually got diagnosed the same year 😅

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Rebecca Cooley's avatar

Ha ha! Love it! Good point! That is so clever! Thank you, Geoffe, for this wonderful comment! Amazing that we are bipolar diagnosis ‘twins’! My condolences! 😅. All the people I have ever met with bipolar disorder are such interesting, kind, creative people! And you clearly fit that profile! It is like the furnace of this disorder refines people into their most creative, thoughtful selves! I look forward to exploring your blog and following your adventures on Substack! Best wishes! 💖👏👍

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Geoffe's avatar

Thanks for the gift of your attention 💜 and your kind words, of course. I agree, provided we can heal ourselves I think there’s a lot of healing we can offer the world through our natural introspective/creative tendencies.

I may have accepted condolences 10 years ago, but these days I feel a little grateful for my neurodivergence. (And I know you were offering them lightly, too 🥰).

A mood episode or a psychotic break share a lot of qualities in common with a shamanic initiation, and I like the person I am now—much less egotistical, much more compassionate—much better than that person I was prior to my first certifiable mania.

If you’re looking for a place to start with my stuff, maybe this essay is the most directly relevant to Bipolar Disorder. I try to map the phases of my mood cycle (with the assistance of 20 years of navel gazing on a therapist’s couch).

https://open.substack.com/pub/creekmasons/p/you-belong-with-me?r=1t12wr&utm_medium=ios

Pleased to have made this connection!

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Rebecca Cooley's avatar

You have expressed this all, so beautifully! I really appreciate the point you made about being able to offer healing, if we can heal ourselves! When I am deep in a manic or depressive episode, the most I can really offer is to be a cautionary tale!

I too feel very blessed these days to have experienced these depths, as they have made me into a more compassionate and understanding person. They have made me appreciate my life in a whole new way! Out of our greatest challenges can come our greatest gifts.

I loved what you said about how a mood episode or psychotic break share a lot of qualities in common with a shamanic initiation! That is how I experienced it too.

Thank you so much for pointing me in a helpful direction with your posts! I look forward to checking it out!

Lovely to connect with you here! Thank you so much for your very thoughtful comments and best wishes with everything! 🥰💖

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jennae's avatar

It is so beautiful to know that you are in a place where you can write from the scar and not the wound. Your book sounds so interesting and I’m so excited to read it one day! 💚

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Rebecca Cooley's avatar

Thank you so much, Jennae, for your kind and enthusiastic message! It warms my heart! ♥️

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Lori K's avatar

I’m looking forward to hearing your story.

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Rebecca Cooley's avatar

Thank you so much, Lori! I greatly appreciate your lovely encouraging comment! Thank you! I am looking forward to exploring your incredible creations! 🥰❤️‍🔥💕

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Geraldine Claudel's avatar

Welcome to Substack, Rebecca! I look forward to reading from you and all the beautiful things you want to share about your life and bipolar disorder. Lots of love.

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Rebecca Cooley's avatar

Thank you so much, Geraldine! Your beautiful comment made my month and brought happy tears to my eyes! Delighted to have you along for this journey! I love your Café 42 (and the meaning behind it) and look forward to visiting it more in the future! Lots of love to you too!

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Geraldine Claudel's avatar

My pleasure, Rebecca.

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Rebecca Cooley's avatar

💖💖💖☘️☘️☘️

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