These stories have stayed with me for the past ten years, ever since I was diagnosed with bipolar depression. I discovered a lot about myself. I learned new skills and constantly try new things to keep my mind active. My brain never stops working, and I can’t afford to be idle or bored—I need to stay occupied and engaged. You know the saying, "an idle mind is the devil’s workshop," I find that to be completely true.

Instead of dwelling on negative thoughts, I turn them into positive imagination, with hope for a better outcome. I’ve learned to recognize my triggers and either avoid them or replace them with something more productive. My triggers can range from someone else’s bad experience, which I sometimes internalize as my own, to something as simple as an unpleasant smell that sends my mood into overdrive and brings on a wave of sadness. But I’ve decided to choose joy, even if that joy is only found in the comfort of my own bedroom. I would rather stay there, surrounded by peace.

I write these stories under my pen name, Lola Jones. I chose the name because of a long-time friend, Terry Jones—may he rest in peace. For years, Terry had trouble remembering my name. One day, I asked him what my name was, and he said, "I think you're Lola Jones," simply because his last name was Jones, and he was trying to be polite. It was so funny, but I liked the name—and it stuck.