This photo was taken roughly 6 years ago. I was 2 months into my first hypomanic episode and still feeling completely uninhibited and euphoric, but having to consciously tone down my behaviour as people around me were noticing. My family and friends were concerned but I was in complete denial that anything was wrong.
I felt amazing, why would they want to bring me down? On this day I showed up late for a funeral because it wasn’t a big deal. I was drinking and shopping way more than usual. Trying to befriend strangers. Sleeping very little but feeling energised after a few hours. Taking dangerous risks because I felt invincible. I felt on top of the world, but I was oblivious to the harm I was doing.