Life and Work with Lily Merwin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lily Merwin.

Lily, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always been a relatively happy/content person until the effects of my bipolar disorder started to hit me. At first, it was little. I had small spells of depression, but then it grew bigger with heavy and intense episodes of not only depression but mania as well. In the beginning, I would keep all of my emotions to myself believing that if I shared my thoughts I would bring others down with me. This all changed when someone told me that I was carrying a bowling ball of emotions and I just need to let it go. At that moment, I realized that I needed to tell people what was going on inside my head so I could have a support system. Today, I have this support system that helps me when I am in my darker times, and they have also helped me to love myself- the good and the bad.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road at all. I have kicked myself over and over again for feeling the way I feel. Over time, I eventually embraced my disorder knowing that I can’t control the fact that I have bipolar disorder but I can control how I act with it. My biggest advice to anyone who is dealing with their own mental challenges is to accept yourself for who you are because once there is acceptance, there is love that heals.

Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Other than being a full-time student, I like to create YouTube videos. I tend to post every week unless I am busy with school, work, etc. My main goal when I upload a video is to make someone laugh. I’ll attempt to bake things with no instruction, make crafts with no instruction or just tells stories that make people laugh. I try to be random with my videos because I tend to find ongoing themes tedious, and I find it keeps the viewers on their toes.

Who have you been inspired by?
I find many women inspiring, but the one that influences my life the most is my sister. My sister is very free-spirited and out-going but also knows how to get her work done. She is not afraid to overcome tremendous challenges, no matter how much she feels like quitting. She has started a rock climbing club at her work, camps almost every weekend and does whatever she can to help the environment. I try every day to be at least half the woman she is because she always keeps me moving forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgdp_tdwZInKPbH4S47mNw?view_as=subscriber
• Email: lilymerwin@yahoo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilmerwin/

Image Credit:
Michelle Maher

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