Routines Keep the Mood Clean

Routines can help keep the mood clean—well, cleaner.

I struggle with Bipolar Disorder, and if you do too, then welcome. This is a place to learn something and own it with a great attitude. I won’t lie—it’s hard. The highs, the lows, the mania-fueled spending sprees, and the drawer full of half-baked hobbies. You know the one. Mine is packed with crochet equipment, resin art, an unopened puzzle, and a very expensive art set I bought during a spending spree. I call it my “Kate Middleton Drawer” so many hobbies all the while being a princess —except I look more like Adam Sandler when I’m doing any of those things. (Comfort > couture, every time.)

But here’s the thing: hobbies do help. They can give you a sense of purpose, especially when depression makes everything feel disconnected and gray. That purpose—even when it's just painting one ceramic mushroom—can be a lifeline.

Now let’s talk about the “unsexy” stuff. You know what might need to become a hobby? Brushing your teeth. I’m not joking. Whether you're lost in a depressive fog or riding the mania train with no stops, self-care sometimes feels like the last thing on the list. But it matters. A wise dentist once told me: Just brush them once a day. Even if you're lying in bed. Even if it's a dry brush. Just do it. And you know what? That stuck with me.

Here’s something even harder: medication. Yep, those dreaded words. Currently, I’m watching my husband skip his meds some nights just so he can stay up gaming. I get it. I was that person too. When I was first diagnosed, I wanted to keep the mania—the rush, the ideas, the bursts of productivity. But trust me when I say: skipping your meds can have serious consequences. I’ve gone down that road multiple times. It never ends well.

Now, let’s admit something not everyone wants to say out loud: manic episodes? Kind of fun. Interesting. Wild. You feel alive. Until you crash, of course. And then it sucks. But in that strange way, you still crave being “up” because the low is unbearable. Still, what you really want—the sweet spot—is stability. The middle ground. Where you’re not making chaotic decisions, but you’re not drowning in despair either.

And if you've been suicidal before, know you're not alone. That hopeless feeling isn’t you—it’s the disorder. One thing that helped me? Reflective writing. If you’re reading this, I bet you enjoy stories, or maybe even writing them yourself. So here’s a challenge: write something funny about your bipolar experience. A reflection, a silly memory, a narrative. Make yourself laugh. You might be surprised how good it feels.

And yes, routines. I used to hate the idea. Still kind of do. But they work. Especially sleep. And not just sleeping more—sleeping on a schedule. Waking up at the same time, staying up. It took me years to realize that going back to sleep after sending the kids off to school made me groggier and more irritable. Now, I get up at 6:20 AM, make coffee, and write. That’s why I’m writing this now. It’s part of my routine, and guess what? I feel accomplished. That one decision spirals into a better day. Maybe a better week.

I look at my grandfather—a man who’s had bipolar disorder his whole life and still runs 200 acres of land, raises cattle, and tends gardens. He got stable. He stuck to his routine. He just kept going, no matter how he felt. And that gives me hope.

So here’s my advice: start small. Don’t write out a 30-step plan. Just begin. Take your meds. Brush your teeth in bed. Stay up after the alarm. Do one tiny thing and give yourself some grace.

You’re doing better than you think.