Mental Health Isn’t a Switch, It’s a Dimmer

00:00 – Introduction to Stephen Nawotniak and lived experience with bipolar disorder01:00 – Hospitalization, diagnosis, and the fear of leaving the hospital02:00 – Stephen’s pre-diagnosis journey and life adventure before depression03:00 – Severe depressive episode and bipolar diagnosis04:00 – Perspective one, coping with symptoms after diagnosis05:00 – Medication, therapy, and managing side effects06:00 – Introduction to occupational therapy and shifting focus to daily life07:00 – Moving from illness management to meaningful living08:00 – Entering the peer movement and shared lived experience09:00 – Wellness Recovery Action Plan and self-knowledge10:00 – Personal growth versus symptom focus11:00 – Finding purpose in pain12:00 – Nikki shares her mental health journey and hospitalization13:00 – Trauma, toxic environments, and relearning normal14:00 – Moving from survival to goal-setting15:00 – Decision to change and personal responsibility16:00 – Purpose of medication and distress tolerance17:00 – Separating feelings from meaning18:00 – Negative self-talk as opinion, not fact19:00 – Using gratitude and strengths to soften intensity20:00 – Self-compassion and internal dialogue tools21:00 – Lies of the darkness and distorted thinking22:00 – Normalizing negative self-talk23:00 – Two patterns of depression, stuck vs always busy24:00 – The danger of having no purpose or focus25:00 – Baby steps and redefining progress26:00 – Zero days and building momentum27:00 – Personal indicators of mental health28:00 – Importance of safe support29:00 – Difference between peer support and co-rumination30:00 – Business and mental health parallels31:00 – Managing highs and lows in entrepreneurship32:00 – Expectations, balance, and resilience33:00 – Acceptance, grace, and long-term growth34:00 – Closing reflections on support, skills, and sustainability