Give your life some meaning.

It’s the best coping mechanism for bipolar disorder and the best strategy for living a valuable life. Giving your life some meaning may take several different forms. Here are some ideas about how to give your life meaning.

1. Explore your hobbies in greater depth. If you love to fish, go fishing more often and try to find others who enjoy fishing. If you love reading, join a book club.
2. Expand your horizons. Try new things. If you’ve always wanted to go hiking, take a hike. If you’ve always been interested in quilting, ask a quilting expert for advice on how to get started or buy a sewing machine. Try cooking new foods; just be sure not to invite tons of guests over when you are serving new dishes.
3. Make long-lasting friendships. This means being impeccable with your word, following through on promises that you make, and not treating your friends one way in other’s presence and horribly when no one is around. Remember that friendship is a two-way street and that others have the right to end friendships that are hurting their well-being. Strong friendships can be built at any time in life, but they take work.
4. Enjoy your family. Appreciate the them for who they are because they are the people you are stuck with for your entire life. If you have kids, make sure they know they are loved in as many ways as you can think of.
5. Take time for yourself. Sneak away to the tub for a nice bath. Complain in your journal about how hard your life is. Take a walk in your neighborhood and actually stop to smell the flowers before they shrivel up.

All of these strategies work when implemented over time. One walk on a bad day might not be enough. Slowly with the help of medication and with the help of your own creativity, take your life back from bipolar disorder and other frustrations in life.

If the meaning in your life is dominated by revenge or petty grievances, you will cause yourself more stress in your life and ultimately rip yourself apart. That isn’t to say that you should be a doormat. Stand up for yourself when you are mistreated and seek justice. Do everything you can in your power to fight for your rights in an honorable way.

And most importantly, respect yourself and those around you.