Finding Work That Doesn’t Break You: Mental Health & Employment

The pressure to hurry up and find a job.

To not “waste time.”

To make money now.

To be stable, productive, responsible—whatever version of that people expect from you.

But when you live with bipolar disorder, the search for work isn’t just about getting a job. It’s about finding something that won’t break you in half.

I’ve been in that cycle before—taking jobs out of survival mode. Feeling like I had to prove something to the world, or even to myself. Sometimes it worked for a while. But most of the time, it didn’t. Not because I wasn’t capable. Not because I didn’t try hard enough. But because the work didn’t fit the way my brain and energy move through the world.

And that’s not failure. That’s truth.

The Pressure to Settle

There’s this quiet (or not so quiet) message in the world that says: “Any job is better than no job.”

But is it really?

When you live with bipolar disorder, taking a job that drains your mental health can cost more than just your time. It can cost you your stability. Your peace. Your ability to function outside of work.

So no, not just any job will do. That doesn’t make you picky. That makes you self-aware.

You’re Allowed to Want More Than a Paycheck

Let’s be real: money matters. Bills don’t care about your mental health.

But I believe we’re allowed to want more than survival. We’re allowed to want work that feels purposeful. Work that makes space for our needs instead of squeezing us into a mold we were never meant to fit.

That doesn’t mean every job has to be your dream. But it should at least feel emotionally safe.

Navigating the Search with Self-Compassion

Here’s what I’ve learned about job hunting when you’re neurodivergent or living with a mental health condition: you need to lead with self-compassion, not shame.

That means:

Taking breaks during the search without guilt.

Applying for jobs that align with your energy, not just your skillset.

Being honest about what work environments support you best.

Letting go of the lie that struggling makes you “less than.”

Some days, job hunting might look like submitting five applications. Other days, it might look like simply brushing your teeth and opening the laptop. Both are wins. Both matter.

Mental Health–Friendly Job Resources

If you’re trying to find work that respects your needs, here are a few places and resources that might actually understand what you’re going through:

🌿 Remote & Flexible Work

FlexJobs – Curated remote jobs with filters for part-time, freelance, and low-stress roles.

flexjobs.com

We Work Remotely – Good for those who need a calmer, home-based setup.

weworkremotely.com

🧠 Disability-Friendly Job Boards

AbilityJobs – A job board dedicated to people with disabilities.

abilityjobs.com

Inclusively – Focused on jobs that offer accommodations for people with physical or mental health conditions.

inclusively.com

🫶 Support for the Process

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) – Free guidance on workplace accommodations and your rights.

askjan.org

You Deserve to Thrive

I know how easy it is to feel behind. To feel like everyone else has it figured out while you’re still trying to get your footing.

But you are not behind. You’re walking a different path with different terrain. And that path still leads somewhere beautiful—even if it’s slower. Even if it’s winding.

You deserve work that fits you. That honors your mental health, not punishes it. That makes space for your creativity, not just your output.

And if that means taking your time to find it, so be it. That’s not laziness.

That’s protection.

That’s healing.

That’s strength.

With care and understanding,

Briana