When the solution to the troublesome verse appears suddenly while standing at the sink, when an idea appears just before sleep takes over and I have to turn the light back on—this is what it looks like when creativity is going well.
Thank you for the lights you turn on, the lights of imagination, perception, caring, creating, sharing, honesty, understanding, words, music, photographs, friendship.
No no. 💁😳😳😎😎Don’t turn on many lights at night ! Work within your circadian rhythm and keep the lights low at night! Your sleep drive will thank you and we all know a good sleep promotes a good mood ! 😎🛌💤💤.
I've often read that a bipolar condition is frequently accompanied by great creativity, which is frustrating exactly because it's not always at one's command. That's all true for you, as it was/is for some other "folk" artists I've known, like Bill Morrissey and a few others I know less well, including their periods of self-medication (which Bill, sadly and unlike you, was never able to break free from). Let's just say that I've seen how frustrating those periods of discouraging writer's block can be, but once the dam breaks, wonderful things happen. And for you, they obviously happen pretty frequently, and have for many years.
So, yes, a bipolar condition can be a curse. But it can also be a blessing. I'm glad you're dealing with it both rationally and medically rather than trying to tough or drown it out. You have to figure out for yourself if the rewards are worth the hard times, but from here on the outside, at least, I place your works right up there with the best of the class. (I almost said "genre", but the range of the work you do crosses into and draws from many different ones.)
I'm eagerly looking forward to this next album and the new directions you're exploring. They're always both fascinating and evocative.
From my point of view it is not a blessing. And I'm not at all convinced that creativity depends upon that peak/valley alternation. What if creativity happens in spite of it? One doesn't want to get reductive either way. But what if another psychological makeup would've yielded other work? And without the drama. Examples abound!
Of course. Creativity is not at all limited to a bipolar condition, or anything else. But it does occur there - not always, but noticeably, and often spectacularly so. I'm very sorry that it's hard to deal with, as are lots of other situations, including all too frequently life itself - I could certainly tell you lots about that. And as I said, I'm really glad you're getting good help. I hope you can take comfort in the fact that your creative works are definitely superior, and that they come from you, regardless of how.
I will not see you through a filter, nor place you in a box. Rather, I feel such gratitude for your openness and authenticity. It lifts all of us; navigating our own struggles. Mil gracias
Congratulations on accepting treatment. I was married to a brilliant man who had BP I. Sadly he was unable to accept that what went up was always going to come down, and stopped taking his meds over and over, with predictable and life-destroying results. It takes courage and determination to accept that something is going wrong in there and maybe it’s time to do something about it. I’m glad it worked out for you; your music lives down somewhere in my soul and I would hate for there not to be more of it.
I wonder how much the “Bi-polar Condition” is sometimes just a label or a crutch for the misunderstood storms of creative ups and downs which strike many of us from time to time? Not to disparage your own appreciation of your own mentality or condition? We have certainly really appreciated the genius of your creativity over the years!
Thanks Ken. For many years I thought along those lines, until a licensed psychologist and an MD both told me otherwise. Unfortunately, 'storms' and 'creative ups and downs' don't quite cover it.
Thank you for commenting a bit on the range of experiences we humans have - from depression and bi-poplar I and II - to other kinds of ups and downs that require compassion, treatment and some loving curiosity about how they may or may not be linked to periods of creativity. I read my way to the end and that last paragraph ..."As I’ve been writing the day has gone from bright afternoon to dusk to a cold, Southern Hemisphere night. Just now, looking up from the computer screen, I see the apartment is completely dark. I’m off to make the rounds, turning on the usual lights." well, for me, that made the struggles and the admitting, worthwhile. As a visual person, it was also about the wonderful window view at the top from the sink of the city.
Thank you, Richard, for so bravely sharing this insight into your struggles. Yes, I'll view you slightly differently now. Not through a different filter or in a different box, but more fully human. I'll be more mindful of you as a compassionate, courageous artists who struggles with with his own challenges despite his considerable talent and success. Thank you for trusting your audience enough to be vulnerable in their presence. I, for one, appreciate your openness.
I've loved your music for decades (we saw you in Vienna, VA again earlier this year), and I was surprised to find, when I discovered your Substack, that I also love your writing. (Not sure why I was surprised: I love your lyrics.) I love your writing even more today. That's a great share. (Um, I wish I could put it as well as Margaret and Amy here . . .)
My father finally got a correct diagnosis of bipolar I and they started him on lithium. Within a week, I had a different father than I had known for my 17 years until that point - a calm, communicative, compassionate one. A few days after that, he died suddenly from a pulmonary embolism.
For years, I’ve grieved the idea of who my dad might have been to me beyond that week. But I’m grateful that I at least got to experience a week of it.
Very glad you’ve hit upon the right treatment and that you’ve chosen to share this. Your vulnerability here is your superpower. Thank you 🙏🏻
Amy, what a heartbreaking story. I'm so sorry. Thank you for sharing it. I won't speak for how people close to me are experiencing this, but lithium has been a godsend. And to think I resisted, under the sway of a stigma. Again, thank you.
Thanks. My family is riddled with bipolarity (formerly called manic depression), depression, alcoholism and other addictions, suicide, etc as far back as I’ve been able to study. In my years of therapy, the single, most important idea was probably this: Bring secrets, troubles, worries and other darknesses out and shine some light on them.
Thank you for the courage to share this. My youngest daughter struggles with emotional pendulum swings that have not been diagnosed as bipolarity, but what you describe has similarities. I am grateful that she is taking charge of her mental health, and grateful for every single advance that offers relief.
Crucially, I am grateful for people like you who come forward, describe your experiences, and thereby help people like my daughter see a pathway toward some treatment that brings relief. Fear of the unknown, and fear of what others will think of us keeps so many of us from seeking help.
So here’s to those better medicines — a walk in the fields, a round of doing the dishes, and yes, lithium — that keep creativity returning again and again.
These things have to brought into the light, if possible (not always the case). That's how stigmas are dispelled and how people become more comfortable with seeking help.
Thank you
Thank you for the lights you turn on, the lights of imagination, perception, caring, creating, sharing, honesty, understanding, words, music, photographs, friendship.
Interesting read.
No no. 💁😳😳😎😎Don’t turn on many lights at night ! Work within your circadian rhythm and keep the lights low at night! Your sleep drive will thank you and we all know a good sleep promotes a good mood ! 😎🛌💤💤.
I've often read that a bipolar condition is frequently accompanied by great creativity, which is frustrating exactly because it's not always at one's command. That's all true for you, as it was/is for some other "folk" artists I've known, like Bill Morrissey and a few others I know less well, including their periods of self-medication (which Bill, sadly and unlike you, was never able to break free from). Let's just say that I've seen how frustrating those periods of discouraging writer's block can be, but once the dam breaks, wonderful things happen. And for you, they obviously happen pretty frequently, and have for many years.
So, yes, a bipolar condition can be a curse. But it can also be a blessing. I'm glad you're dealing with it both rationally and medically rather than trying to tough or drown it out. You have to figure out for yourself if the rewards are worth the hard times, but from here on the outside, at least, I place your works right up there with the best of the class. (I almost said "genre", but the range of the work you do crosses into and draws from many different ones.)
I'm eagerly looking forward to this next album and the new directions you're exploring. They're always both fascinating and evocative.
From my point of view it is not a blessing. And I'm not at all convinced that creativity depends upon that peak/valley alternation. What if creativity happens in spite of it? One doesn't want to get reductive either way. But what if another psychological makeup would've yielded other work? And without the drama. Examples abound!
Of course. Creativity is not at all limited to a bipolar condition, or anything else. But it does occur there - not always, but noticeably, and often spectacularly so. I'm very sorry that it's hard to deal with, as are lots of other situations, including all too frequently life itself - I could certainly tell you lots about that. And as I said, I'm really glad you're getting good help. I hope you can take comfort in the fact that your creative works are definitely superior, and that they come from you, regardless of how.
What a kind comment. Thanks Don.
I will not see you through a filter, nor place you in a box. Rather, I feel such gratitude for your openness and authenticity. It lifts all of us; navigating our own struggles. Mil gracias
Thanks for reading Lynne.
Nothing but honor and hope, Maestro. Perseverance furthers. With love.
Congratulations on accepting treatment. I was married to a brilliant man who had BP I. Sadly he was unable to accept that what went up was always going to come down, and stopped taking his meds over and over, with predictable and life-destroying results. It takes courage and determination to accept that something is going wrong in there and maybe it’s time to do something about it. I’m glad it worked out for you; your music lives down somewhere in my soul and I would hate for there not to be more of it.
I'm sorry to hear about your husband, Kerry. It's terrible how the condition is so often the very thing standing in the way of treatment.
I wonder how much the “Bi-polar Condition” is sometimes just a label or a crutch for the misunderstood storms of creative ups and downs which strike many of us from time to time? Not to disparage your own appreciation of your own mentality or condition? We have certainly really appreciated the genius of your creativity over the years!
“That Guy” from Milwaukee & Chicago
Thanks Ken. For many years I thought along those lines, until a licensed psychologist and an MD both told me otherwise. Unfortunately, 'storms' and 'creative ups and downs' don't quite cover it.
Thank you for commenting a bit on the range of experiences we humans have - from depression and bi-poplar I and II - to other kinds of ups and downs that require compassion, treatment and some loving curiosity about how they may or may not be linked to periods of creativity. I read my way to the end and that last paragraph ..."As I’ve been writing the day has gone from bright afternoon to dusk to a cold, Southern Hemisphere night. Just now, looking up from the computer screen, I see the apartment is completely dark. I’m off to make the rounds, turning on the usual lights." well, for me, that made the struggles and the admitting, worthwhile. As a visual person, it was also about the wonderful window view at the top from the sink of the city.
Thanks for reading with compassion Hetty. And thanks for reading all the way to the end!
Thanks Richard--good luck "smothing" things out
-Jim
Thank you, Richard, for so bravely sharing this insight into your struggles. Yes, I'll view you slightly differently now. Not through a different filter or in a different box, but more fully human. I'll be more mindful of you as a compassionate, courageous artists who struggles with with his own challenges despite his considerable talent and success. Thank you for trusting your audience enough to be vulnerable in their presence. I, for one, appreciate your openness.
I've loved your music for decades (we saw you in Vienna, VA again earlier this year), and I was surprised to find, when I discovered your Substack, that I also love your writing. (Not sure why I was surprised: I love your lyrics.) I love your writing even more today. That's a great share. (Um, I wish I could put it as well as Margaret and Amy here . . .)
Thanks Bryce. Glad you're here.
My father finally got a correct diagnosis of bipolar I and they started him on lithium. Within a week, I had a different father than I had known for my 17 years until that point - a calm, communicative, compassionate one. A few days after that, he died suddenly from a pulmonary embolism.
For years, I’ve grieved the idea of who my dad might have been to me beyond that week. But I’m grateful that I at least got to experience a week of it.
Very glad you’ve hit upon the right treatment and that you’ve chosen to share this. Your vulnerability here is your superpower. Thank you 🙏🏻
Amy, what a heartbreaking story. I'm so sorry. Thank you for sharing it. I won't speak for how people close to me are experiencing this, but lithium has been a godsend. And to think I resisted, under the sway of a stigma. Again, thank you.
Thanks. My family is riddled with bipolarity (formerly called manic depression), depression, alcoholism and other addictions, suicide, etc as far back as I’ve been able to study. In my years of therapy, the single, most important idea was probably this: Bring secrets, troubles, worries and other darknesses out and shine some light on them.
Hi Al. It's amazing the good that can come from just speaking with other humans. Here's to light!
Thank you for the courage to share this. My youngest daughter struggles with emotional pendulum swings that have not been diagnosed as bipolarity, but what you describe has similarities. I am grateful that she is taking charge of her mental health, and grateful for every single advance that offers relief.
Crucially, I am grateful for people like you who come forward, describe your experiences, and thereby help people like my daughter see a pathway toward some treatment that brings relief. Fear of the unknown, and fear of what others will think of us keeps so many of us from seeking help.
So here’s to those better medicines — a walk in the fields, a round of doing the dishes, and yes, lithium — that keep creativity returning again and again.
These things have to brought into the light, if possible (not always the case). That's how stigmas are dispelled and how people become more comfortable with seeking help.