How to Overcome Limiting Beliefs Brought on by Mental Illness

Exploring bumble bees and bipolar disorder.

“I can’t do that,” I told my friend Marsha when she asked why I didn’t start my own business.

“Why not?” she wanted to know.

“Because I’m bipolar,” I said, way too loud and with all the angst and frustration of a teenager even though I was already in my late twenties.

“Pish, posh,” she waved her hand at me. “You can do whatever you decide to do.”

When I was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I let it define me. I allowed it to control how I saw myself and the world around me. It left me paranoid, anxious, and depressed.

I believed that there was nothing good in my future because of my mental illness.

But eventually, I realized that my diagnosis didn’t have to hold me back. Although it’s never easy, I’ve slowly learned to overcome the negative beliefs that came with my mental illness.

If you’re struggling with similar issues, here are a few tips that might help you.

“Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn’t be able to fly but the bumble bee doesn’t know it so goes on flying anyway.”

— Mary Kay Ash

Acknowledge Your Feelings

The first step is to acknowledge how you’re feeling.

It’s okay to be sad, scared, or angry after receiving a mental health diagnosis. You might feel like you’re all alone in this battle, but know that there are millions of people who have been in your exact same shoes. It’s normal to feel alone, and I believe it’s part of the illness.

Just remember you’re taking the first steps on a long journey.

Educate Yourself

One of the best ways to overcome your fears is to educate yourself about your mental illness.

Learning as much as you can about your condition can help you take back some control. When you understand what’s going on inside your head, it becomes less scary and more manageable.

There are tons of outstanding books, articles, and websites out there that can help get you started. On the Speaking Bipolar Publication alone, you will find over 300 posts about how to live your best life with mental illness.

Talk to Your Doctor

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, make an appointment to see your doctor or therapist.

A trained professional can help answer any questions you have and provide valuable resources and support. Sometimes it’s helpful to talk to someone who understands what you’re going through and can offer professional advice.

Therapy helped me focus on my abilities rather than the things mental illness took from me.

Find a Support Group

Another great way to find support is by joining a local or online support group for people with bipolar disorder or other mental illnesses.

Connecting with others who are dealing with similar issues can be incredibly helpful and therapeutic. Just knowing that you’re not alone in this battle can make a world of difference.

Join Forces With Others

One final way to overcome your negative thoughts and beliefs is by teaming up with friends or family members who believe in you.

Find someone who will be supportive and understanding; someone who will listen without judging or trying to fix things; someone who will be there for the highs and lows. This person will become your cheerleader — your rock — during difficult times.

My friend Marsha helped me see how I was like a bumblebee. My bipolar diagnosis might make some goals harder to attain, but the only thing that truly held me back were my limiting beliefs.

When I learned to accept that bipolar was part of my story but not my destiny, I could see the world of possibilities again. Then, I got to work. It took a few tries to get what I wanted, but now I have a successful blog, hundreds of online stories, and am a paid freelance writer.

Remember, no one is perfect — not even the bees!

Everyone has their own struggles they’re dealing with behind the scenes; we just don’t always know about them. Often, people hide their challenges below the surface.

So cut yourself some slack every once in a while. Give yourself a break when needed.

Then, keep moving forward one day at a time, knowing that better days are ahead. Things might not be simple right now, but know that you can do anything.

What’s one thing you never thought you could do but then you did it? Please share your experiences in the comments.

Your Turn to Write

Journal Prompt: Write about a time you did something you thought was impossible. What does that life lesson teach you? How can you apply it to your life right now?

Creative Writing Prompt: Write a story that includes bumble bees. They can be your main characters or just something that shows up in the story. Bonus points if the theme of your story is about overcoming limiting beliefs.

Until next time, keep fighting.

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