I have managed without meds for twenty six years. I can only speak from my own experience, and not every day/week is perfect, but it has been successful for me.
I go out every day for min of 20 min walk in all weathers for the daylight
I book a winter holiday without fail every year (I appreciate not everyone can afford this) If I can't get away I have 20 min of sunbed once a week. Winter is the hardest time in my experience.
When I feel myself sinking I instantly recognise it, accept what is happening and use mindfulness and gratitude to slowly ease through it.I use the fact I have come through worse, to remind me of my strength.
I will only eat vegetables and fresh fruit, rainbow food on bad days. I do not start eating tons of crap it makes me feel even worse when I do.
I take care of myself when I am really bad. I will go to bed, and treat it as a proper illness, take a day or two out. Re centre and remerge.
I do not let myself get overwhelmed, this can be a trigger for anxiety. If I know I am getting too busy I cut back straight away. My MH comes before anything else, so if I can't do a night out/family occasion whatever it may be. I have given myself permission always to simply cancel. Ditto with christmas and other pressurised points of the year.
I am very careful who is in and part of my life, and anyone that sucks the energy or life blood out of me quickly becomes downgraded. For those that are not optional I limit how much time and how often I see them to the bare minimum.
I found a job that gives me confidence and strength. This was pretty life changing in itself.
I use the countryside, nature and wildlife to feel calm and centred again.
I took out every single thing that dragged me down. Whether it was a boyfriend, a friend or something that hurt me in another way.
I have massages, meditation sessions and self care once a month or as often as possible.
In this way slowly I have coped with the cycles. I have been in very bad places, and have been able to use of the above mostly very successfully.
You need to put in some effort op, you will not just get magically better. It needs maintenance and commitment on your part.
If you are feeling like you are nearly reaching the lower end of what you can manage, do not wait until you hit rock bottom before taking medication. Medication is nothing to be scared of, and could make all the difference to your life. Try the meds, you can stop at any time if they disagree with you. Better to have a life well lived and enjoyed, than to be ruled by fear of what ifs.
Try the above, and then see how you feel. You are going to need some tough love to take those walks on the days you feel beyond everything and anything, but you walk you must. Same for foods, and other things. You may not feel like it, but you do it anyway. Changing your mindset is half the battle. Time to get very very serious about being well. 