Posted in Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Mental Health, Self-Care, Self-Talk, The Mighty, The Pencil Case on The Mighty

Mid-week Encouragement Check-in and Proud Moment Reflections

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity

Mid-week Encouragement Rest Stop: Supportive and Motivational Messages

Write an encouraging or motivational message in the comments below for yourself or someone who may need support today. 🌱💌

My Message!

Take your time and rest if you need to. You are doing what you can right now. I’m proud of you ❤️.

You can find this post in The Pencil Case on The Mighty here.

Activity

Finish this sentence: My proudest moment was when __________.

Think of a moment in your life when you felt the proudest you’ve ever been. What moment comes to mind?

My Reflection

My proudest moment was when I graduated college even after experiencing the lowest I’ve ever been with my mental health. I strived to get that degree and I got it WITH magna cum laude honors AND distinction in the writing program 💃. I did that!

Check out this post in the Cheer Me On group on The Mighty here.

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

Writing and Reflection Activities: Pencil Case Prompts, Exploring Comfort, and Learning Lessons

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity

Finish these sentences:

I am moving past _________.

I am moving toward _______.

Let’s take steps forward together and affirm what we’re moving past and what we’re moving toward.

My Reflection

I’ll go first!

I am moving past shame, guilt, and self-limiting thoughts.

I am moving toward self-love, self-forgiveness, and accepting all parts of me.

What about you?

Let’s walk together 🤝💌.

You can find this post in The Pencil Case on The Mighty here

Activity

What does “comfort” feel like to you?

Whether we feel supported by those around us or in an environment where our needs are being met, the idea of comfort may look different for all of us.

What does comfort look and feel like to you? What makes you feel most comfortable?

My Reflection

For me I know comfort is directly related to how safe I feel in my environment. If I feel safe and supported by those around me, I’m able to access and navigate that environment more freely.

What about you?

You can find this post in the Self-Care Lounge group on The Mighty here.

Activity

What is a lesson you’ve learned that you feel is valuable to share with others?

Is there a life lesson you’ve recently learned or learned over the years that you feel is valuable information that others in our Mighty community can benefit from?

My Reflection

A valuable lesson I’ve learned was that life isn’t a timeline that everyone has to fit into. It’s OK to go at your own pace and do what’s best for you. There is no need to compare your journey with others people’s journeys. We are all on our own path.

You can find this post in the Chat Space group on The Mighty here.

Posted in Creative Writing, Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Reflection, The Mighty

Poetry Writing: Freedom and Success

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity

Write a short poem describing what freedom and success mean to you.

What thoughts come to mind? Any images or ideas come up?

My Poem: Successfully Free

I’m encompassed in peace.

Silent.

Still.

Powerful.

A green pasture.

No more to-dos.

I only exist.

My feet burrowed in the dirt.

The sky without clouds, only blue.

Not a worry left in my body.

I realized that I made it.

This is success. This is freedom.

This prompt is also in the Conquer Your Mind group on The Mighty here.

Posted in Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Mental Health, Reflection, Self-Care, The Pencil Case on The Mighty

Pencil Case Prompts: Check-Ins and Free Writes

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity

How was your week?

How was this week for everyone? Any highlights, challenges, or victories you would like to share?

My Reflection

My week was OK. I’m proud of myself for getting all of my work done! I’m struggling with insomnia again, though 😩. I’m currently powering through the tiredness and ruminating thoughts.

What about you?
Feel free to share in the comments below 💌

You can find this post in The Pencil Case on The Mighty here.

Activity

In the comments below, in your own Pencil Case post, or in a personal journal take a minute or two to just write ✏️. You can write about what’s been frustrating or challenging for you recently, something that you’re proud of yourself for accomplishing, a goal that you have, a poem that you wrote or something that you created, perhaps even a word of encouragement or what’s been helping to keep you inspired or motivated.

My Reflection

Here’s my free write!

Today I want to share about what I’m working on in terms of my growth and progress. I went to therapy recently and realized I have such a hard time being proud of myself and not rationalizing my achievements as expectation. My goal for the rest of the year is to look at my accomplishments as wins no matter how “big” or “small” and allow myself to feel good when I do something great. I deserve to feel good.

You can find this post in The Pencil Case on The Mighty here.

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

I Deserve it.

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Everything good that you’ve experienced and will experience is coming your way simply because you deserve it. You deserve peace, success, celebration, abundance, wealth, support, and love. Nothing you do or don’t do will pave the way for something that is already yours. It’s yours because you exist. Keep on taking one step at a time and one breath at a time. Keep moving forward. Believe in goodness.

I love you and I’m proud of you.

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

I Trust and Believe in Myself…An Affirmation

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Say this affirmation with me: I trust and believe in myself to manage and navigate through tough situations.

No matter how challenging the situation or how frustrated I feel, I’m capable of navigating each tough situation I’m presented with. I am capable of problem solving, self-care, and doing what is necessary to move forward. I trust in my intuition. I know who I am. I love myself. I believe in my capabilities.

Posted in Self-Care, The Mighty, The Pencil Case on The Mighty

Pencil Case Prompts: What are you looking forward to this week?

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity

Finish this sentence: This week I’m looking forward to ____________

What are you looking forward to this week? What are you prioritizing? What do you want to accomplish or work toward?

My Reflection

I’ll go first!

This week I’m looking forward to spending time with family as well as prioritizing sleep, meditation, time management, and peace of mind.

What about you? 🙂🕊️

Find this conversation here in The Pencil Case on TheMighty.com

Posted in Mental Health, Reflection, Self-Care, The Mighty, The Pencil Case on The Mighty

Pencil Case Prompts: Victories and Mindful Moments

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity

What’s a challenge you’ve worked extra hard to overcome?

Let’s share our victories together today!

Is there a challenge you’ve been faced with that’s taken a bit more effort and consistency to work through or overcome? What has that challenge been like for you? Has the challenge taught you anything thus far?

My Reflection

For me, my biggest challenge was learning how to love myself and put my needs first. It’s taken so much work on my part, and I’m still working on it, but I’ve made so much progress in the past three years! I’m so proud of myself 🌻.

What about you?

**Find this post here in The Pencil Case on TheMighty.com

Activity

A 3 Step Mindful Moment: Gratitude and Intentions

When you come across this message take these three mindful steps:

Step 1: Pause ⏸️ what you are doing and take three deep breaths. Count for three seconds as you inhale and three seconds as you exhale.

Step 2: List two people, places, things or ideas you are grateful for.

Step 3: Set one positive intention for the rest of your day.

Note: Feel free to share your gratitude list and intention for the day in the comments below if you would like 🌟🙂.

My Reflection

Here is my gratitude list and intention for the day:

I am grateful for my bed and food to eat when I’m hungry.

My intention for today is to go slow and listen to my body as I navigate high anxiety.

My affirmation: I am allowed to take my time. There is no rush for me to get through the day.

**Find this post here in The Pencil Case on TheMighty.com

Posted in Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Mental Health, Self-Care, Self-Talk, The Mighty, The Pencil Case on The Mighty

Pencil Case Prompts: Reflections,Check-Ins, and Self-Care

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity

Build a self-care gift bag!

What would you fill your self-care gift bag with? What do you need right now or for the week ahead?

🧸 Teddy bear of comfort and relaxation

📚 Coloring books of fun

🍇🧁 Energy snacks

👟 Calming shoes

💌 Letters, reminders and mindful tips of support

Note: Feel free to choose as many items as you would like! 🌸

Beginning of the week affirmation: I take one step at a time and reflect on what I need as I navigate each moment of my day. I am important. I do what’s best for me.

My Reflection

As I reflect on my needs, I definitely will add a teddy bear since I’ve been overthinking 🧸, energy snacks to help me keep up with my work 🧁, reminders and mindful tips 💌 and calming shoes 👟 because my anxiety isn’t doing too well starting my week off.

**Join this conversation here in The Pencil Case on TheMighty.com!

Activity

Mid-Year Reflection!
Choose a flower 🌷🌹🌻

Choose a flower and reflect on how this year has been for you so far.

🌷 : What is something you’ve achieved so far this year that you’re proud of?

🌹: What is something you would like to continue working on?

🌻: What is a long-term or short-term goal you want to set this month?

My Reflection

I’ll reflect first!

🌷: This year, I was able to grow in my craft, my Mighty family, and in my finances!

🌹: I would like to continue working on my self-talk and procrastination when it comes to my personal projects. I want to be more confident in my abilities and creative skills.

🌻: A long-term goal I want to set starting this month is continuing to save money as well as working on my Etsy shop more consistently.

Mid-year affirmation: I am proud of the progress I’ve made and the progress I continue to make. I am doing my best and there’s no shame in asking for help on my journey. I am ready for my next steps.

**Join this conversation here in The Pencil Case on TheMighty.com!

Activity

Write a list of 10 people, places, things or ideas that are important to you.

Let’s reflect on what’s important to us today!

My Reflection

I’ll go first!
Here is my list:

1. My family and friends
2. My dogs
3. Creativity
4. Empathy
5. The Mighty
6. My room/creative space
7. My mental health
8. Self-awareness
9. Learning
10. My blog/brand SparklyWarTanks

**Join this conversation here in The Pencil Case on TheMighty.com

Posted in Events, Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Mental Health, Reflection, Self-Care, The Mighty

NAMI-NYC July Virtual Expressive Arts Event and Mighty Reflection: Feelings of “Home” and Self-Care

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

So very excited to announce the NAMI-NYC Expressive Arts workshop event I will be hosting at the end of the month!  This event will be via Zoom and on the NAMI-NYC website. You can find the link in the flyer here. On the day of the event click the Expressive Arts Zoom link for July 30th.

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to send me an email. The time of the event is in Eastern Standard Time.

**I will share any updates or changes and keep everyone posted. 
Here are some details for the event:

Title
Me and My Self-Care

Description
“Me and My Self-Care” is a creative and fun event focused on reflecting about self-care, love and what “home” feels like to us. Starting with an ice breaker, we will sketch an image and write about our favorite type of self-care. The main activity will then be to pick one of two activities. The first activity will be to draw a self-care toolbox with a list of your favorite and most helpful self-care practices and the second activity will be to write a poem describing what “home” feels like to you and what it’s like for you to experience love, support and acceptance.  Lastly, we will close by sharing our works of art.

Materials
Paper, writing utensils (pen, pencil, markers, or crayons).

Hope to see you there!

**Sneak peek for my NAMI-NYC event activity.

Activity

What does “home” feel like to you?

If you wanted describe what “home” feels like to you, what words would you use? Does the feeling have a color, an experience, or remind you of a person? Is home a place or an idea?

My Reflection

For me, home is when I feel at peace and when I’m calm. Home is when I’m with my family and friends and I feel safe. Home is when I fully accept myself for who I am. Home is in the present moment.

What about you?

Find this activity in the Self-Care Lounge group on The Mighty here as well.