ABOUT

I'm Stephanie, a 22-year-old AWOL pre-med with bipolar disorder and PTSD galivanting through the streets of New York City with nothing but her Metrocard, meds, and handy-dandy notebook (It's an iPad, really, but I just had to make a Blue's Clues reference).

On July 14, 2012, I attempted suicide and was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder II. I left the hospital 4 days later ready to hit the ground running. A month later I started school, changed my hair, went though sorority recruitment, and kicked-ass during midterms. Three days later, on a weekend trip to New York City, I realized how my bad habits hadn't subsided despite my stable mood.

I started Anchored State to chronicle my recovery, adventures, and new life in New York City.  I've always prided myself in being able to hold contrasting extremes in my head while simultaneously accepting and rejecting them- it's called growing, it's called humanity. This is my space to speak unabashedly about all the things that make us human. I like to draw, cross, and walk lines. I can be prim and proper, happy-shiny, but my sharp tongue and headstrong attitude add a light darkness to everything I do.

Just as Picasso's Blue Period was influenced by his friend's tragic suicide, this is my catharsis. This is my Enlightened Period. I hope my blog inspires you to do something; cook for yourself, get dolled up for no reason, smile at a stranger in the street, to be yourself without making apologies. Something.