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I am trying these days to set up a schedule for everyday living. I am tired of just trying to get through the day. I need more structure and to be able to see I am accomplishing something.

This is a great topic. One of the things that we beepers benefit from greatly is a routine or schedule. Going to bed and getting up at the same time, exercise, eating right (yeah, like I EVER do that).

I do go to bed and get up at the same time every day, and that makes a huge difference for me. I am now at a point in my life where exercise is almost mandatory; okay, if I want to live past forty it's mandatory.

But other than that, without a schedule, my mood gets really out of whack. I have a really hard time disciplining myself when I am at home, so it takes a lot for me to stick to a schedule. but I am actively working on it each day to have a routine in the morning and at night.

Great, great post.

I HATE balance and routine! But it's the only way for me to survive if I want to stay balanced myself.

And the charting of my moods and behaviour on an almost daily basis has help a great deal in understanding my bp. My pdoc give me a little well-detailed book to do this. It has all the questions from what is your mood to when is your period, and did you drink today, etc. kinda depressing to look back at it sometimes, lol

I live faithfully by my calendar. With four kids and lots of appointments and extra curricular activities, it is vitally important for me to live by that schedule. I also make a list for each day of things I would like to get done. I made it a reasonable list so I dont get overwhelmed. If I dont do this, I will do nothing. Because my brain can get so overwhelmed and confused with the things I should and could do that I would choose to do nothing out of frustration. If I am depressed, the list helps motivate me to do something. I think it is important for me especially with bipolar disorder to live with a schedule and a routine making sure that I know it is okay to break from it if something else comes up. Too strict or rigid a schedule can cause me frustration and ultimately depression if I have to break from it or cant accomplish it all. It took years to refine and perfect, but I know what works best for me now and it has helped me a great deal. It keeps me from falling into bad habits or wasting too much time which is easy to do for me with this disorder. Hugs

I agree that mood charting is so helpful in finding that ever elusive balance. It really helps to be able to look back and say without a doubt, how I've been doing.

My schedule is a little odd. I make it up at the beginning of each day. I found that if I make a set scedule for a whole week that I feel constrained and chafed.

So each day I look around at what I need to get done, laundry dishes whatnot, and then I add some stuff I want to do. It seems to balance out alright.

I agree that going to sleep and waking at the same time everyday (including weekends) is incredibly important.

...I agree, yet I rarelly do it. Living with the consequences.

I am the worst w/balance and routine..I can't seem to do it. I screw it up everyday..I need help. Advice?

A daily routine is good as not to waste time and to be productive, some changes are good to break up the monotany and to be creative with an improved schedule. Today is gorgeous!

a general routine is a good way to keep order in ones life, although variety adds a zing to life. me the daily routine of the week is altered on weekends doing other things, something to look forward to. i just wish i had more things to do doing the week to balance my life, right now i'm making bread with my breadmaker, what a thrill!!!