What does the name BoldlyBipolar mean to me? I put a lot of thought into this as I decided to adopt it as the name for my blog. I think it’s a good idea to give you all some insight on what the name means to me on a personal level, and why it is something that I try and live up to.

Most people associate the word bold with confidence, bravery, courage, or daring. While I take all of those words to mind, courage and bravery are the words that mean the most to me. I don’t have much in the way of confidence, and daring isn’t exactly the perfect descriptor.

I have trouble seeing myself as either courageous or brave. I am no hero. I am just somebody trying to get along in this world. My strength is matched by weakness, my bravery by fear. I am no shining example of how to make the most out of life. I am a survivor, doing what it takes to move along day by day. This is where the word courage fits in. I feel pain. I have self doubts. Sometimes I don’t want to be here on this earth anymore. Courage is the voice that doesn’t let me give up. The roar that tells me I am strong enough to survive, or the whisper that tells me to keep hanging on, to remain hopeful.

Courage is something that exists inside all of us, even if we have trouble seeing it. I see courage in the name BoldlyBipolar. Courage in the fact that I am still alive and able to write this blog. Courage because I have allowed myself to share parts of myself with you. Courage because I am doing my best to fight against stigma by trying to normalize the conversation around mental health.

What does it mean to be boldly bipolar?

Being boldly bipolar means being open about the struggles of my illness. It means not being ashamed to be somebody who lives with bipolar disorder, and accepting the responsibilities I have to maintain my mental health.

Being boldly bipolar means putting myself out there in the hopes that I might be able to help somebody who is struggling. It means trying to use my platform to help others to learn. To understand. To realize that they are not alone.

This is what it means to be boldly bipolar. It is not about being strong or beautiful. It is about simply being myself. Because that is enough.