The Sound of Your Own Wheels: Finding Peace in the Noise of Bipolar II with the Eagles

Hey everyone, it's me, and this week I wanted to talk about something that's close to my heart – living with Bipolar II. It's a journey with its own set of highs and lows, and as you are aware, I find my comfort in music. This week we are exploring the intersection of music and mental health by diving into the the Eagles' classic, "Take It Easy."

For those who might not know, Bipolar II is this thing where my mood has these noticeable shifts. I get these periods of feeling really up – energetic, creative, maybe a little too impulsive sometimes (that's the hypomania part). Then, there are the stretches of feeling really down, like a heavy weight I can't shake (that's the depression). It's not always dramatic, but it's definitely there, coloring how I see and interact with the world. It's crept into every facet of my life -- school, work, family. It affects my relationships, my sense of self, and colors so much of what I do. It's taken a long time to get to this point, one of the many reasons I am interested in sharing my journey.

As I listen to "Take It Easy" some of the lyrics really hit me in a way that applies to this challenging disorder. Let's look at that first verse:

"Well, I'm a-runnin' down the road tryna loosen my load / I've got seven women on my mind / Four that wanna own me, two that wanna stone me / One says she's a friend of mine"   

Honestly, that "runnin' down the road tryna loosen my load" feels so familiar. Sometimes, when I'm in that hypomanic phase, my mind races. Ideas pop up constantly, I'm juggling a million thoughts, and it can feel like I'm trying to outrun something – maybe my own energy? And yeah, the "seven women on my mind" might not be literal, but it captures that feeling of being pulled in so many directions, so many things demanding my attention. It can get overwhelming, like my own brain is trying to drive me crazy.

That's where the chorus comes in, and it's become a bit of a personal mantra:

"Take it easy, take it easy / Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy / Lighten up while you still can / Don't even try to understand / Just find a place to make your stand / Take it easy"   

"Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy." That line hits hard. When my thoughts are racing, when I'm feeling restless and wired, it's so easy to get caught up in the internal noise. It's like my brain has its own soundtrack, and sometimes it's way too loud and chaotic. This part of the song reminds me that it's okay to try and dial it down, to not get swept away by every single thought or impulse.

"Lighten up while you still can." This feels like a gentle nudge to appreciate the moments when things feel a bit more manageable. Bipolar II can be unpredictable, so when there's a chance to breathe, to find a little lightness, I'm learning to grab onto it. Enjoy those moments of clarity and peace as they can feel fleeting.

"Don't even try to understand / Just find a place to make your stand." This one has been a game-changer for me. In the past, I'd get so frustrated trying to analyze every mood shift, every surge of energy or dip in motivation. It felt like trying to catch smoke. Now, I'm learning to accept that sometimes, it just is. Finding a "place to make my stand" means setting boundaries, practicing self-care, and knowing my limits. It's about creating a little anchor in the midst of the shifting tides.

Then there's this verse:

"Well, I'm a-standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona / Such a fine sight to see / It's a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford / Slowin' down to take a look at me / Come on, baby, don't say maybe / I gotta know if your sweet love is gonna save me"   

I can relate to that feeling of seeking something external to pull me out of a mood. Maybe during a low, I'm hoping for a connection, a spark, anything to lift me. Or during a high, there's that impulsive desire for something new, something exciting. The line "We may lose and we may win / Though we will never be here again" reminds me of the intensity of those moments and the importance of being present, even if the feeling is fleeting.

Later in the song, there's this:

"Got a world of trouble on my mind / Lookin' for a lover who won't blow my cover / She's so hard to find"

This resonates with the vulnerability of living with Bipolar II. Sometimes, I worry about how others perceive my mood swings. Will they understand? Will they judge? Finding someone who accepts all parts of me, the highs and the lows, can feel like a real quest. I was very lucky to find a very tolerant and accepting wife. I hope others are as fortuate.

Ultimately, the repeated message of "Take it easy" feels like a gentle reminder that I need to be kinder to myself. It's not about ignoring the realities of Bipolar II, but about finding ways to navigate it with more self-compassion and a slower pace. It's about acknowledging the internal "wheels" without letting them drive me completely off course.

Living with Bipolar II is a journey, and it's not always easy. But maybe, just maybe, by taking a page out of this classic song, we can all find a little more peace and a way to "take it easy" on ourselves, one day at a time.

What are your thoughts? Does this song resonate with your experiences with Bipolar II? I'd love to hear from you in the comments. After all, we're all in this together. Please take care of yourselves and each other.