#57: Urgency is Authentic Energy (It's Just Uncomfortable)
Apr 23, 2020
FROM THIS SHOW…
Have you been hit hard with mood instability? During this coronavirus outbreak, having a bipolar disorder is like being doubly handicapped.
One limitation comes from the restrictions on social distance and shut down parts of our our daily life.
And a second limitation comes from the inability to make plans, which is an agitating trigger for instability when there’s a mental illness like this.
A commonly produced side-effect nowadays is resignation due to adrenaline fatigue. Since not much can be done until restrictions are lifted, it’s easy to let every anxious passing day feel like the one before.
But the problem with that is managing your activity levels. And having nothing to motivate you is actually as void of rest as being driven about with no purpose at all. So where is the happy middle?
When your life plan is disrupted, how will you stay focused and energized? When COVID-19 recedes, what will your new pattern be? What will you decide as your pattern?
On today’s episode of The Bipolar Now Podcast, Mike shares one simple method of dialing back agitation and getting back in the groove, no matter what’s going on in the world.
Use this chance to be solid whether your instability comes from a worldwide virus, an adrenaline-fueled disorder, or both.
You don't want to pass this one up!
Listen to the podcast:
Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts! With every past episode at your fingertips, plus special Bonus Content with my guests, what's not to love! And if you're feeling generous, would you please leave me a review? It is a special treat to read each and every one of them. Just write about your favorite part of the show! :-)
TAKEAWAYS
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Upsetting circumstances like future uncertainty are fertile ground for bipolar instability. The worst episodes are usually created by a chaotic mixture of triggers.
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To use your time wisely, it’s best to initiate the power of deadlines. Have something important every day that needs to get done, either entirely or in stages. Keyword = important. Not empty or busy.
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Urgency is “tactical unrest” that leads to authentic peace once the urgency is spent. If you lack peace, it’s because you lack urgency.
Lifer Discussion Guide
Use the questions in today’s Lifer Guide to help you talk your way through the need for new urgency when we are living with social, work, and recreational restrictions (COVID-19). This is important for mental health because we lose sight of reality when we are isolated and restricted for even a short amount of time.
“Lifers” are special people who have the kind of faithfulness that assures you they’re going to be there when called upon. If you haven’t nominated a Lifer as part of your non-medical support team, what are you waiting for? :-)
The Questions:
1) What’s your earliest memory of feeling urgency for something? / What were you focused on doing that had a deadline? Or what were you anxious to accomplish?
2) Why is it important to have a sense of necessity, and how has that been a challenge for you lately?
3) What’s something important to you (like a big life goal) that’s not getting done right now?
4) How can we help each other have authentic urgency like Mike talks about? / How often can I ask you about your level of urgency?
Join the Tribe!
Once you’ve had a chance to talk or journal about these things you might have a question from this episode. If so, make sure you head on over to The Bipolar Now Podcast Network on Facebook! There’s quite a few people over there who are also taking a new step in their mental health. And we’d love for you to share your story with us when you’re ready. So don’t miss out!
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