Sometimes I feel like my life revolves around the illness. Every day is marked by control: avoiding stress to stay balanced, eating well to keep my sleep intact, taking my medication on time. It all comes down to that, maintaining balance, not losing control.

It’s hard not to constantly remember that I have a mental illness. Every decision I make is influenced by it, and even though I try to live a normal life, it’s always there. Sometimes, it feels like my routine is defined only by what I have to avoid or control, and that weighs on me.