Posted in Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Potential and Worth, Power, Quotes, Reflection, Self-Care, Self-Talk, The Mighty, The Pencil Case on The Mighty

The Pencil Case: Are you Highly Sensitive, too?

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

My Story

Sometimes the world around me is a lot to process — noises are too loud, lights too bright and my thoughts often fall down a never-ending spiral. I care deeply for the people around me and wish I could do more. It’s like I’m an emotional sponge.

I’m no stranger to feeling overwhelmed and I catch myself retreating in order to feel better again. I regain my energy with creativity and love to reflect so I can better understand myself and others. My brain likes looking at the bigger picture but does so through subtleties. I see patterns and small details and my favorite questions are “why?” and “how?”

However, being highly sensitive has made me susceptible to scrutiny and criticism. I’m often “too much” or “too deep” for the liking of some people. I remember once being told, “You make things too difficult and complex and would benefit from being more simple.” That isn’t who I am though, and I shouldn’t be ashamed of how sensitive I am. It’s taken me some time to fully understand and accept my emotional nature and to perceive it as an ability instead of a burden.

While feeling deeply is no walk in the park, I am proud of how far I’ve come in my journey of self-love. But I know I still have so much more to learn. If you are a highly sensitive person like me, know that you are not alone. No matter what, you are not “too much” and I’m happy to walk this journey with you.

What are your experiences like as a highly sensitive person?

Can You Relate? Let’s Reflect!

To my highly sensitive people, we are in this together.
No matter what, you are not “too much” and I’m happy to walk this sensitivity journey with you. If you find yourself overwhelmed or overstimulated check out these reflective guided questions, they’ve helped me navigate my sensitivities:
  • How are you feeling?
  • Do you feel overwhelmed, anxious, frustrated, or overstimulated? Where and when do you feel this way?
  • Are you overextending your energy?
  • When was the last time you took a break?
  • Do you need time alone?
  • What places help you feel safe?
  • What are your triggers and how can you manage them?
  • What is in your control?
  • What are your needs? How can you prioritize your needs better?
  • What are your limits? What are you okay/not okay with?
  • Do you need to write down your thoughts or talk them out?
  • Who can you ask for help?

Join this conversation here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty, or comment on this post!

Posted in Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Potential and Worth, Reflection, Self-Care, Self-Talk, The Mighty, The Pencil Case on The Mighty

Pencil Case Prompts Goal Book: Building Confidenice

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

An important part of following through with achieving your goals is knowing and believing you can achieve them. Building confidence is knowing what you’re capable of then crafting and creating goals that reflect what you want and see yourself achieving.

Activity

How can you build confidence in the goals you set?
Are the goals you’re setting reflective of your needs and interests?
Do you believe you can achieve the goals you set?
My Reflection
I can build better confidence around my daily goals by being more patient with myself and giving myself credit when I accomplish something. Once I learn to be proud of myself even if I still have work to finish, I can become more comfortable in continuing what I need to do to get where I want to be.
Join this prompt’s conversation here on The Mighty.
Posted in Events, Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Mental Health, Potential and Worth, Reflection, Self-Care, Self-Talk, The Mighty, The Pencil Case on The Mighty

Roots to Leaflets/From Roots to Mighty Leaflets: A Reflective Exercise

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

From May to July, I’ve hosted a few virtual events centered around the theme of goals and goal creation. “Roots to Leaflets” or “From to Mighty Leaflets”, two names that were given to this activity, allows us to visualize and articulate our goals and growth using the image of a tree. 

What makes goals and the representation of a tree suitable for this reflective exercise? Let’s dive into how to create growth cycle trees.
…

Yes, goals are what drive our ambitions — but they can also be the reason why we procrastinate or become intimidated by the possibilities of our future selves. How can we create goals that help us feel good and motivate us to notice our growth?

A tree has three main parts: the roots, the trunk, and the leaves. Each part of the tree, however you draw or collage it, will represent a different part of the goal and growth process. Check out the example below.

Drawing of Nina's

Here is how you can draw your tree using guided questions:

The roots represent your goals. What do you want to accomplish? What makes you feel good? You can also include habits you want to take up or routines that’ll help you feel more refreshed.

The trunk represents your needs. What do you need to do on a daily basis that helps you feel good? What do you need in order to accomplish a particular goal?

The leaves represent your accomplishments. What have you done lately that made you smile and feel proud?

No matter how big or small your goals, needs or successes are — whatever you accomplish is worthy of celebration.

Note: You can create your trees however you envision. Your trees are a reflection of you!

Make your own tree and share it with me! Here is my Mighty group The Pencil Case or Instagram page.

Here is my tree!



From the water running through the soil to the fruits growing alongside the leaves, I’m proud of my growth and accomplishments. Using my goals and needs I can continue to work toward achieving all I know I can achieve.

This activity was featured in The Mighty #CheckInWithMe newsletter which you can subscribe to on the TheMighty.com or Mighty app.

 

Posted in Creative Writing, Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Potential and Worth, Power, Reflection, Self-Care, Self-Talk

My Little Seed

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

I remember planting this seed and thinking it would never grow. Pressured by the expectation that I’m doing something wrong, I was plagued with thoughts that if it didn’t show it’s growth it would be my fault.

But, although my expectations were low, it grew anyway and the tears I shed when it showed its little leaves made me realize I’m okay.

I’m okay because the seed is planted and as long as I have even the slightest hope that it would grow, it just might grow.

I just might grow, too.

Posted in Creative Writing, Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Mental Health, Potential and Worth, Power, Quotes, Self-Care, Self-Talk

Dear Depression

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

With every breath in me and all of my energy, I push past the parts of myself that tell me I can’t.
Even on the mornings I ask “why?” I embody the character of resiliency.
“I am” despite the thoughts that say “I’m not.”
I define every day with what living means.
I draw it in cursive along the walls of my subconscious.
I deserve peace and I manifest it in every moment.
Although I need time to get my pain together, my strength always takes the lead.
What I have is the power those thoughts try to take from me.
But, even when I feel I’m at my lowest when the fear feels bigger than the triumph,
I get up.
I get up. Every. Single. Time.
Why? Because “I am.”

Posted in Defying Shadows Articles, Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Other Publications, Potential and Worth, Power, Self-Care

Defying Shadows: The Dangers of Being Too Busy

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

“…While our daily schedules influence and prompt us to prioritize work-related tasks, it becomes difficult to slow down and also include self-care habits and routines that are important, too.

When much of our time is dedicated to working, when do we incorporate self-care and breaks into our daily schedule? How do we know when to effectively manage our time so we are not forced to take a break because of burnout?“

Article Link: The Dangers of Being Too Busy

Posted in Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Potential and Worth, Power, Reflection, The Mighty, The Pencil Case on The Mighty

Pencil Case Prompts: Goals Help Us Feel Good

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

When we think of goals, we may sometimes think of big and complex ambitions or what we can work toward to be successful and make something of ourselves. Although this is a part of what can make a goal “feel fulfilling”, its not the only way to view, create, or approach goal setting. Goals are what we make of them. A goal can be simple, complex, big, small, intentional, unintentional, noticeable, or unnoticeable; goals are what help us to feel good about who we are.
Washing the dishes, brushing our teeth, watering our garden, drinking more water, getting out of bed, and even reflecting are also goals we can set and achieve daily. Whatever helps us feel refreshed, fulfilled, satisfied, and accomplished are goals we unknowingly achieve on a day to day basis.

Activity

What self-care practice, routine, or habit can you do daily to help you feel fulfilled, satisfied, and accomplished?
Why are these activities or gestures important?

My Reflection

Four things I do daily that helps me feel accomplished and refreshed are:
1. Watering my plant.
2. Eating fruit.
3. Reflecting and writing.
4. Brainstorming creative ideas.
These gestures and activities help me to understand myself better and allow me to be gentle with my day to day expectations of myself. These goals help me to feel a sense of accomplishment through simplicity.

Join this prompt’s conversation here on The Mighty.

Posted in Creative Writing, Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Potential and Worth, Power, Self-Care, Self-Talk, The Mighty, The Pencil Case on The Mighty

Pencil Case Prompts: Crafting a Superhero

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Ever thought what it would be like to be a superhero? How would you go about crafting your superhero persona?

Activity

-What would you call yourself?
-What would your superpower be?
-What would be your catchphrase or superhero slogan?!
Feel free to be as creative as possible. You’re the superhero!

My Reflection

If I were a superhero, my name would be Empathycia and my superpower would be the ability to spread peace wherever I go and to whoever I speak to. My slogan would be “within every heart there is a capacity to feel and know peace.”

Join this prompt’s conversation here on The Mighty.

Posted in Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Love, Mental Health, Potential and Worth, Power, Quotes, Self-Care, Self-Talk

You Are A Complete Person

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

6 Truths About Worth:

-Your worth is defined by who you are, intrinsically. Nothing you “do” or “don’t do” can change your worth.
-Your worth does not fluctuate or change depending on who you are with or who you want to be with.
-You are worthy no matter what. There is nothing outside of you that can determine your worth.
-How someone treats you is reflective of them and not of you.
-Nothing and no one can take away your worth.
-Your worth will stay with you and will not leave. There is no need to prove your worth to anyone.

You are a whole person without anyone telling you or showing you. Being with someone does not validate your worth. You were worthy before them and you are still going to be worthy with them or after them.

You are complete.
You are enough.
You are necessary.
You are important.