Where to begin...?

Generally, I would begin at the beginning, but sometimes it's difficult to distinguish exactly where the beginning is. What are the relevant parts? How do I share the events that have taken place over the last 3 years in a way that makes sense to the casual reader, when the events don't entirely make sense to me yet? But perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself.

I'm currently traveling on business, and figured now is as good a time as any (since I have some peace and quiet) to reflect on the last few years, try to make some sense of things, and try to navigate the choppy waters and whipping winds.

I titled this blog "The Other Shoe," because for quite some time now, I feel as though I've lived constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. I don't want to go as far as to label my life as traumatic, though there have certainly been periods of overwhelming stress and even fear. However, the best way I've come up with to explain the feeling I've been living with is by likening it to the experiences of someone who has been through a traumatic event... constantly looking over one's shoulder, constantly in a hyperalert state.

I don't entirely know yet what I'm hoping to accomplish with this blog. My intention is to share my experiences as the spouse of someone who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Maybe in the long run, I'll be better able to understand myself as well, and perhaps eventually someone in a similar situation will stumble upon my tiny little corner of the internet and realize they aren't the only one out there, despite the fact that it can be an isolating, lonely experience.