Seeking treatment from a mental health professional does not make you weak, incapable, or crazy. Just as you would go to a doctor for a checkup, seeing a doctor to care for your brain health is a very normal and necessary part of self care. It can completely change your life, if you let it.
Living with bipolar disorder presents a unique set of challenges. This condition can profoundly impact an individual’s personal, social, and professional life. But it’s crucial to note that countless individuals with bipolar disorder lead productive and successful lives, transforming their experiences into powerful narratives of strength and resilience. In a world where conversations about mental health are becoming more urgent yet still face stigma and misunderstanding, the timeliness of this series cannot be overstated. We aim to shed light on the realities, strategies, and triumphs of navigating life with this disorder. In this series, we are talking to individuals who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, who share their personal journeys, strategies, coping mechanisms, and expert advice to help others in similar situations. As a part of this interview series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lauren “Lo” Cornell.
Lauren “Lo” Cornell is an artist, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate. She is the founder of the brand Think Unique (shopthinkunique.com), which has been providing handmade artisanal jewelry, lifestyle goods, and healing support to our global community since 2015. She uses her business and platform to raise awareness, spark conversations, and raise funds for mental health warriors and organizations.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! We really appreciate the courage it takes to publicly share your story. Before we start, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your background and your childhood backstory?
Thank you so much for having me! I’m thrilled to speak more about my experience and let others know there is hope for the future, no matter what mental health challenges you may be experiencing.
A little bit about me- I have been an Artist my whole life, and an aspiring Entrepreneur since I was a child. I find beauty in the smallest things, and feel the most rewarded through human connection and helping others. This lead me to create my business Think Unique, a concept I created while I was in college and experiencing my heaviest trauma. I needed a way out, a path to healing, and this business was my ticket.
I was studying art, metalsmithing, and jewelry design at the time, while exploring possible solutions for the day-to-day challenges my mental health was laying in front of me. This combination led me to where I am today, an artist and entrepreneur that creates healing lifestyle goods and helps others on their journeys to happiness despite what mental health challenges they may be fighting against.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My favorite life lesson quote is actually tattooed on my inner left wrist, a phrase I see every day,
“Do it scared”
This is a phrase I first heard in therapy and it struck a chord with me because one of the most difficult things about battling a mental health challenge is the fear- the fear of shame, the fear of disappointment, the fear of failure, the fear of judgement. These are all things that the unnecessary stigmas of society have laid upon us and we fight against on a daily basis. This reminder is what pushes me past fear into the course of action. Its okay to be scared…
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Let me know what you thought in the comments below! I am happy to receive your stories and hold space for those who seek it ❤️
With love & gratitude,
Lo