Genius idea

I've seen research through many sources that express a link between Bipolar and creativity... Especially during a manic or hypomanic episode. My therapist even said that some companies will specifically  look for a Bipolar employee just for their "creative genius".

Every now and then, I have what I call a "genius idea"- at least it feels that way to me in the moment. I want to keep track of them, and re-evaluate them later to see if they're as genius as they feel in the moment.

Anyway...

I'm throwing myself a birthday party- is that tacky? I feel like it might be a while before I can do something like this for myself again. I'm inviting a lot of people- so that no one gets their feelings hurt, and so I can pretend I have a lot of friends. (I've never been very good at keeping relationships going- is that a Bipolar thing?)

For a long time... Years, even... I've wanted to do an Alice in Wonderland themed party. I'm calling it my Mad Hatter Tea Party. Oddly appropriate, wouldn't you say? Some things the Mad Hatter says are so perfect:

I totally agree.

I'm also making a bunch of decorations, have a fun craft activity planned; I even borrowed my parents croquet set- how perfect is that?

And today, as I was framing some Alice Images for decorations, I had a signature Bipolar "genius idea". I'm thinking a lot about having a mental illness, and how some might seriously call that being "mad" or "crazy". I believe we all have a little "crazy" in us, whether it's certifiable, or just qwerky. But, not many know how to handle their own mental health issue... And I thought- "GENIUS!!!" I would LOVE to travel around and teach people about mental health, and how to manage any issues that may arise (depression, anxiety, etc) I'd love to show them an attitude of- "you're still a normal person", and "dealing with any mental issue is doable- and it's okay. You're okay." "Stigma has no power over you". And I would do all of this in a "Mad Hatter Tea Party" setting with lots of colorful decorations, and teacups and me in a giant Mad Hatter hat- to make it fun and optimistic and normal. I hope this could help to lessen the stigma, help change people's attitudes towards mental illness, and have a greater desire and understanding of caring for their own mental health.

My first impression was to do this for the Relief Society (the organization for women in the LDS church). If it went well, I'd take it anywhere that would have me.