How to Survive as a Single Person with Bipolar Disorder

If you're a single person with bipolar disorder, surviving can be hard. Last time I outlined why this is in a piece about being alone with bipolar disorder, but this time, I'm focusing on successfully dealing with being a single person with bipolar disorder.

How to Survive Being a Single Person with Bipolar Disorder

There are many techniques I employ to try to survive as a single person with bipolar disorder. Some of these might work for you, and others might not. I'm not saying they are the ultimate ways; I'm saying they work for me.

• I use a meal prep delivery service. They deliver all the ingredients I need and the recipe; all I have to do is cook it. They also deliver complete meals like salads. This makes keeping myself fed with healthy food much more realistic as I don't have the energy to shop and cook. 
• I get any remaining groceries delivered.
• I have an accountant do my taxes (the fee is a write-off the following year).
• I make a schedule, and I'm extremely hard on myself about following it. It's not okay to deviate from the schedule without an earthquaking reason. 
• I have routines that I follow, especially first thing in the morning and before bedtime. Again, it's not okay to deviate from these routines.
• I call on friends to help me when things get too out of control. For example, a friend came in and made me dinner one day, as even with the ingredients and recipe, I just couldn't do it. Another time a friend helped me clean as the cleaning tasks had been building up seemingly forever.
• I set up check-in times when things are really bad either with depression or another mood. So, for example, a friend agrees to text me every day, and I have to answer no matter what. We put a plan into place for what to do if I don't respond within a set time period.
• A friend helps me with my errands by driving while I complete what I need to do. This ensures I pick up my prescriptions, get to the bank, etc.
• I make rules for myself that I must follow. For example, I must open the mail as soon as it comes into my apartment. I must wash my sheets every week. I must eat vegetables and fruit every day. There are many others too.

Also, I've considered getting a cleaning service, but I just can't afford it right now. I find it extremely difficult to keep up with cleaning (and, in fact, generally don't).

The Secret to Surviving as a Single Person with Bipolar Disorder

You might have noticed the secret, also known as the flaw, in the system: for many of the above, you must agree to do what you outline for yourself. You have to be hard on yourself. You have to be a taskmaster. You have to crack the whip. None of that is fun. And people want to know how to do that.

I don't exactly know.

It's basically a contract with myself. For someone else, it could be a written contract if that helps. Use whatever it takes to make you accountable.

It stems from perfectionism, work ethic, and just a general fear of failure. Not everyone has these things. Not everyone wants these things. 

I don't know how helpful it is to suggest that people emulate any of that, however. But people want to know how I do it, and that's a big part of it.

Keep in mind making reasonable rules and goals for a day is also really important in achieving success.

(Note that just because I have all the above set up, it doesn't mean that I'm always successful in all ways. These are the techniques I use. That doesn't guarantee 100 percent success every day.)

Surviving as a Single Person with Bipolar Doesn't Work for Everyone

Finally, I'd like to remind people that surviving as a single person with bipolar disorder just isn't possible for everyone, and that's not because they've done anything wrong; this is just because their illness hits them in ways different from mine. Some people need assisted living. Some people need to live with others, like a parent. Some people need social support. All of that is okay. People need what they need. We're all different because bipolar disorder and its effects vary so dramatically.

So, what I'm saying is even if you do everything I've outlined, it doesn't mean it will work for you. It works for me, that's all.

Take what works for you and leave the rest. And if you have any additional tips, tell us below.