Onika L. Dainty

In this article I will go over the therapeutic benefits of blogging, how this medium has given rise to supportive online communities and safe spaces, blogging as a tool for advocacy and the risks and rewards I’ve encountered on my blogging journey. 

The Therapeutic Power of Blogging for Women with Bipolar Disorder

Blogging can be beneficial to your mental health because it provides a platform for self-therapy, self-expression, mindfulness, self-reflection and self-discovery. It also can provide much needed social connection with people who share similar values and lived experiences. Engaging in the process of writing can assist people in organizing their thoughts, processing difficult emotions and reducing stress by reflecting on experiences you may go through during a Bipolar episode. Having a creative outlet like blogging can be essential for not only managing emotions but recognizing your triggers which you can archive in your work, revisit or share with others.

Creating a lived experience blog can also act as a coping mechanism for stress relief. There may be times in your day or week when you cannot access your counselor or therapist and worse yet there are individuals who currently do not  have access to these vital resources. Therefore, using unique strategies like blogging as a mechanism for release can be key in managing your Bipolar symptoms and identifying the stressors that may lead to an episode. 

Self-Therapy and Self-Expression

When you are managing a mood disorder like Bipolar disorder a major factor is processing and regulating your emotions. Blogging can be done anytime of the day or night providing you with an opportunity to express your thoughts, feelings and emotions especially when you are feeling overwhelmed. This is a great form of self-therapy that is available to you if other forms are not. 

Remember, with Bipolar disorder management the work does not stop at connecting with your mental healthcare team, taking medications that may be prescribed or talking to the individuals in your support circle. The work you do to maintain good mental health is more than nutrition and exercise or sleep hygiene although all these elements are important. It is also about self-regulation of often chaotic and unpredictable moods through finding outlets like blogging which promote self-expression and the emotional processing you can do outside conventional therapy. 

Mindfulness, Self-Reflection and Self-Discovery

It has been my experience that practicing mindfulness can lead you down a path of self-reflection and ultimately self-discovery. “Know thy self,” is one of the life lessons I live by for many reasons. Early on in my journey I did not have the tools I needed to manage my condition. I was lost in my own mind reaching for a solution to the problem of how to stop the instability that had taken over my life. Then a friend took me to a mindfulness and meditation class. At first I was very uncomfortable as I knew nothing about present moment awareness after having my thoughts race through my mind at what felt like light speed for years. The instructor saw my discomfort and my inability to take deep and relaxing breaths and offered me a blank journal and pencil, he then said calmly, “Put it on the page.” 

I hadn’t been able to write for years but that day I felt I needed to get what was in my head out. With everyone practicing deep breathing and practicing various forms of meditation, I was exhaling words onto the page, words that at first made little sense but became clearer as the process cleansed my mind. After that experience I began doing daily journaling again which led me on a journey of self-discovery and ultimately creative expression through blogging. This therapeutic process of lived experience blogging has helped me build a community, raise awareness about Bipolar disorder by taking my readers beyond the stigma of mental illness and although I take risks sharing the inner most parts of myself on a public platform, the reward of writing my truth and helping others on their journey to wellness is healing and empowering.  

The Power of Community: How Blogs Create Spaces for Support and Connection

Blogs create safe spaces for support and connection by fostering a sense of community, promoting open communication, empathy and understanding as well as encouraging mutual respect. Blogging gives the creators an opportunity to share their lived experiences with mental health, allows readers to ask questions and can provide support to others facing similar challenges. Blogs can also be informal, informative and accessible. Blog posts can offer valuable insights, advice and encouragement to their readers which promotes connectivity and the creation of a community built on inclusivity. Blogs worth connecting with will also promote a non-judgemental and safe space for individuals to express themselves while feeling listened to and supported. Below is a list of blogs networks that promote women’s mental health:

• Girlboss: while not solely focused on mental health topics this blog offers content for women entrepreneurs and leaders wanting to be a part of an online community that facilitates conversations around stress management, self-care and resilience. 

• Bravely She Blogs: this is a network that focuses on mental health and self-care for women offering advice and support around topics like anxiety, depression and self-love

• Talkspace: a blog that offers articles and resources related to various mental health concerns including anxiety, depression and relationship management. 

• Inspire the Mind: this blog provides resources and advice about overcoming mental health obstacles in favour of resilience, provides tools on how to build a strong mindset and find inner peace. 

These online communities can provide readers with a positive and safe space to express their concerns and share their own experiences fostering resilience and a sense of belonging. Remember, it is important to do your research before joining online mental health communities for both privacy and safety but most importantly the wellbeing of your mental health. Established networks can provide you with a sense of ready-made communities that understand and can empathize with your experiences. Make sure the networks you participate in align with your mission, vision and values for your mental health journey. 

Blogging as a Tool for Advocacy: Raising Awareness About Bipolar Disorder

I am of the belief that there are few better places than a blog to spread your message about mental health advocacy and to raise awareness about an often misunderstood complex illness like Bipolar disorder. In 1964, Canadian communication theorist Marshall McLuhan coined the phrase “the medium is the message,” meaning the way a message is communicated (the medium) is just as important as the message itself. Presently the medium is the worldwide web and oftentimes important messages get lost in the vastness of the internet and especially in the fast paced world of social media. 

However, blogging has developed into a sophisticated tool that can be used to spread positive mental health messaging, raise awareness and build communities of like-minded individuals. Bloggers have the freedom to write thoughtful and impactful posts uninterrupted giving them the freedom to express themselves in a clear and concise way about their lived experiences with mental health as well as advocate for systematic change in mental health policies, procedures and programming. Bloggers have the power to advocate for themselves and others in their network by posting articles as many times in the day, a week or a month based on passion and commitment to their cause. 

So, if the medium truly is the message, blogging is a modern day tool we can use to raise awareness, foster understanding share important mental health resources, and incite policy change by having those challenging conversations that take readers beyond the stigma.   

When women are willing to share their lived experience with Bipolar disorder on a blog platform it slowly chips away the armour of ignorance, fear and judgement that perpetuates the stigma surrounding mental health. Living with and managing Bipolar I disorder, I am also a truth teller in an age where disinformation online dictates the thoughts, feelings and behaviors of so many. The risk I take sharing the very challenging parts of my illness directly dispels the myths and subsequent discrimination and stigma that can occur when society remains uninformed about the significant mental health crises we face in our communities as well as how we can initiate change and embrace those that struggle. It’s important these experiences are shared on multiple platforms in order to continue to raise awareness and foster understanding and empathy.

I have always considered myself transparent in my illness, I am not shy about sharing both the negative and positive experiences I’ve faced both in my communities, the workforce and in a mental healthcare system. My experiences and how I share them has always been in my control and will continue to be. People often ask me whether or not it takes an emotional toll sharing personal experiences publicly. My response is always the same, I feel empowered sharing my lived experiences and honoured that readers come back weekly to see what more I will reveal. My mother taught me as a child, “Speak the truth and speak it always cost it what it may.” I live with and successfully manage a complex mood disorder, my course has not always been smooth but I have never let go of the goal of living a full life in remission and it's my purpose to inspire others not to give up either. I speak the truth about my experiences with Bipolar I disorder because to do otherwise would be to let others who struggle remain hopeless.

Final Thoughts

Blogging offers a unique and powerful way for women with Bipolar disorder to share their experiences, find community, and advocate for change. It provides an outlet for self-expression and can help combat the isolation often felt by those navigating mental health challenges. However, like any public endeavor, it’s essential for bloggers to balance the therapeutic benefits with the emotional risks. When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I step back, take a break, rest and recuperate. I practice self-care. I set boundaries with myself and with my writing. I usually know I need to do this not because the sharing process overwhelms me but because my condition ebbs and flows and it's been my experience that I need to ride the wave rather than resist it. 

There is a thin line between authenticity and vulnerability and so far on my blogging journey I have remained authentically and unapologetically me with all the facets of vulnerability that come with reflecting on my past and present as a woman living with and managing Bipolar I disorder. Finally, I have found the process of putting it all on the page therapeutic and healing in my journey to better mental health and it is my hope that the risk never outweighs the reward I feel every time I release an article that can touch lives, renew hope and inspire resilience.  

If you or someone you know is considering starting a blog, take the leap—Remember every day is an opportunity to do something you’ve never done before so to my future bloggers be fearless and unapologetic about sharing your truth because your insights, advice, authenticity and vulnerability  might be your reader’s light at the end of a very a dark tunnel, your words may be sunshine after the rain. So be bold, be brave and put it all on the page.