Entry #18: How Is Time Like Money?

I got the flu two weeks ago and decided to head to up north. Being bipolar, getting every bug comes with the territory. I know how grumpy I get sweating out the fevers, so instead of going to my own pity party, I packed up the dogs for my road trip. 

When I arrived, I took the dogs for a walk. The lake cleared my stuffed-up head like I had plastered an entire container of Vicks Vaporub on my chest. I can’t remember a year that I haven’t been sick. It’s a blessing and a curse. Getting sick so often has made time very precious to me.

I ask you, “How is time like money?” If you put $5000 on a credit card, making the minimum payments, it would take your whole life to pay it back. When you’re in debt, it brings stress. You’re a slave to whoever you owe money to, as well as, you probably need to work extra hours away from people you love to pay it back. On the other hand, you can be wise with money by investing it so that you get a return to live out your dreams. If you start investing early enough, you reduce stress in your life because you’re in control of your future. You can even have enough to gift to others less fortunate! 

I listen to people. They complain about weather, kids, spouses, bosses. The list goes on. I just want to tap them on the shoulder to say, “Listen to yourself! Do you understand that you can’t get this time back?” I can’t get the years back when I missed six months of college. I can’t get back the years I missed with my kids due to bipolar symptoms, and I can’t get back the time I lost on the couch sick with the flu for the 1000th time last week. Once time passes, you can’t get it back. Like spending money on credit on things you will send to Goodwill, it’s a waste. My question to you is, are you a person who wastes time, or will you now make every second matter?

 

Stephanie Preston creates powerful, humorous videos on managing bipolar disorder symptoms. She is a Social Service Worker, Health Care Aide and suffers from severe bipolar depression herself. She is the proud wife of St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston, loves being a grandma and is Crossfit obsessed. Follow her at www.tiktok.com/@bipolaronthebrain and www.facebook.com/bipolaronthebrain.