Welcome to Mood Map Adventures

I'm Jim Capen—a digital nomad, freelancer, vanlifer, mountain biker, adventurer, and bipolar. This is my space to reflect on living an integrated, intentional, and balanced life—embracing creativity, work, fitness, well-being, healing, and bipolarity—through honesty, curiosity, and exploration. I hope you'll find ideas and inspiration here to help you live a more fulfilling life.

If anything, being bipolar has given me a unique perspective on life, and ever-shifting moods have provided me with experiences that help me relate to a variety of people. I write because it helps me process my life, work out negative feelings, let go of uncomfortable memories and learn and grow. It puts life into perspective.

If you are bipolar, I don't have all the answers, but I have experienced the full range of moods—from bat shit crazy, lock me up in the psych ward, to debilitating depression laying in bed wishing I were dead. If you're having a hard time reconciling yourself to your diagnosis, dealing with stigma, and managing moods, I feel for you. I'm in my early sixties and still figuring out all that stuff. I'm not recommending you follow my lead, but if you find an idea that may be helpful, give it a try. If it works, great—if not, at least you learned something that didn't help.

If you're "normal," I understand you, too, because I spend the majority of my time in that zone. If nothing else, I hope you gain some insight and understanding of bipolarity.

For everyone, let's all learn to cut ourselves and others a little more slack, because from my point of view, it's a messed-up world filled with imperfect people, and it amazes me that we're doing as well as we are.

Please read my full story here or connect with me on LinkedIn and Instagram. Want to see what else I'm up to? Visit my website, or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.