Mama's Still Got This: Living & Mothering with Bipolar 1

 

I didn't plan on becoming a mom and a mental health advocate—but here I am, typing this with my baby girl's bottle next to me, my hair in a "who-needs-dry-shampoo" bun, and a whole lot of fire in my heart. Boy, is Jesus really working in me.

Hi, I'm a mama living with Bipolar 1 disorder. I spoke a little bit about what it entails in another post, so highly recommend you go check that out if you are still lost as to what it is. This post is for every mom out there who knows what it's like to ride the highs and lows, not just emotionally, but hormonally, mentally, and—let's be real—spiritually too.  

Let's Get Real About Bipolar 1 

Bipolar 1 isn't just mood swings. It's not just "feeling a little off." It's intense. It's exhausting. It's mania that can feel euphoric until it's terrifying. It's depression that can sink in like fog and steal the color from everything—even the joy of motherhood. It's trying to hold your baby while holding it all together. And sometimes... it's dropping both. (not dropping baby literally, let me make that perfectly clear.)

But here's the truth I want you to hear:

We are still good mothers. We are not broken. We are not alone. 

Motherhood + Mental Health = Brave as Heck

 

I've learned that showing up for my daughter while showing up for myself is a powerful thing. Some days that looks like superhero energy and giggles and tummy time. Other days, it looks like asking for help, stepping away, or whispering to myself: "You're doing the best you can." 

Yes, I take my medication. Yes, I have a therapist. Yes, I've cried during diaper changes and smiled in the middle of a breakdown because my daughter cooed at me like I was her entire world. 

Because I am. And you are too, mama. 

What I Want You To Know 

- Having Bipolar 1 doesn't make you or myself a bad mom. 

- You can be mentally ill and still be completely capable of giving your child love, stability, and joy. 

- You are not defined by your diagnosis—you are defined by your courage to keep going. 

Advocacy in Action

I share my story not for pity or applause, but because someone once stepped out of their comfort zone to share theirs — and it saved me. So here I am, reaching out through the chaos of nap schedules and mood charts to say: I see you. You're doing amazing. You're not alone. 

We're in this together, navigating motherhood one mood swing, one milestone, and one messy bun at a time. 

Let's keep the conversation going. Let's make space for moms like us. Because guess what? 

Mama's still got this.