I’ve lived in a mental hospital. That’s something I never thought I’d say. It was only 6 days. I shouldn’t say that ... It was 6 days. Growing up, there was a mental health hospital in the middle of my suburb. It was up on a hill, tucked back on a long driveway, surrounded by lots of trees. We would tell ‘spooky stories’ with our friends about what happened when people ran away from there, and what it was like inside. 

One year ago today was the scariest day of my life. After a 4 day build up, I had my first manic episode resulting in hospitalization, a bipolar diagnosis, 6 days of inpatient treatment, and 11 weeks of outpatient treatment. 12 weeks of *surreal experiences,* on every level, daily. Everything changed for me on October 16th, 2018. An episode. I lived through a transition. As if watching myself through clouds or a fuzzy screen. Then I was spit back out to my old life.