I think we’re going to spend a lot of time really depressed, some time highly manic, and a regular level of happiness sometime in between.

One thing that my therapist has told me is that expecting happiness all the time isn't realistic, and in treatment my goals should be peace and contentment. And I think those two feelings lay a groundwork for being able to feel happy more often to for finding joy in little things. Also, medication, therapy, and lifestyle are all pillars we need to work on to live stable lives. Im newly medicated and it helps, and I know someone who's really successful, an author, and a great mom who has bipolar 2 who is definitely a generally happy person. It gets better but it takes work, and it's definitely not a straight line

I completely relate to this. I’m so scared I’ll be fighting just for basic “okayness” my whole life. One song that makes me feel less alone is “Happy Ending” by Demi Lovato if you like punk rock music. Demi has bipolar 1 and signs about this similar struggle