How do I tell the difference between the normal ups and downs

Full blown bipolar manic episodes leave you acting very odd - wild flights of fancy coupled with extreme actions, tirelessness without sleep for days, risky and uninhibited sexual behaviour. If you're even wondering, you're almost certainly not bipolar.

However, if you're looking for more stability in your life, there's a lot you can do. Try to keep to a sensible routine of sleep, exercise, and meals, and make sure you're spending your time well. Try taking up an activity that involves both mental effort and physical activity, like a sport or, best of all, carpentry. Once you're doing a couple of hours of woodwork each day, you'll find your emotional swings are on a much more even kilter.

>>16782651
To expand on the OP. I seem to meet the criteria for Bipolar 2, but I don't personally believe that to be a problem. It's just that my life is a mess, lol.

Carpentry though, yeah.