The Bipolar Blogging Mom

I’m sitting in my usual nursing chair, trying to formulate the proper introduction post. This is my first time writing for any audience and it’s honestly something I’ve wanted to do a long time. Writing has always been very cathartic to me and goes way back in my families traditions. When I worked as a counselor, I routinely handed out journals in the hopes others would find some therapy outlet and saw the healing benefits like I have. So here I am, holding my now 10 week old son while my older boy who is 5 tinkers with legos on the floor nearby. My name is Ariel, I’m a boy mom of two and a wife to my husband. I am currently on maternity leave, but I have my masters in social work, and I’m currently a hospice social worker. After a lot of ups and downs, I have learned a lot about mental health both personal and professional and feel it’s time to start sharing how these tie into my role as a mother, wife, friend, etc. I feel it would be a waste to not share the tools I have learned, and also process what I continue to develop as I am present on this world. I hope, if you read this, it brings you at least a sentiment of belonging and togetherness to know you are not alone in your daily battles with your mental illness while you manage to find stability as a mother too. Some of what I write might be triggering but I think it is important to be real with readers and especially myself. I hope as you process your own experiences in this, you find time to verbalize this with a professional as well as I am a huge promoter of counseling. Also remember that I am not looking to give medical advice or diagnosis; just here to share my tale and hope it inspires/helps/or advocates for someone else’s voice. Thanks for reading. 😊