The Weight I Carry
For a long time,
I wondered why I compared myself to others so often—
both consciously and unconsciously—
questioning whether I was falling behind, and if I would ever catch up.
I would look around
and find myself alone—
the only one,
a spectator
watching as I could no longer see the silhouette
of those who seemed
so far ahead of me. I’m at the bottom of the hill.
I now realize and acknowledge:
this is what grief feels like for me. Something I’ve been carrying for a long, long time—
a weighted blanket
that’s become part of my body.
No one sees it,
but I feel it.
Today, I allow myself to feel sad.
It’s OK to feel sad today.
I give myself grace.
I don’t push my feelings aside,
or try to force positivity.
I feel my emotions—
and let them pass through.
They deserve space, too.
Category: Creative Writing
If My Body Could Talk
If My Body Could Talk
If my body could talk, she would whisper, “slow down” — move at the pace of a snail, as if approaching a yellow light at the intersection of my limits.
She would remind me that I am worthy of care, every second of every day.
My body would tell me when my cup is empty and show me how to refill it.
My body speaks in a calm and soothing voice, I just need to listen. She’s been with me for so long— surely, she knows what I need by now.
If my body could talk, I’d want to talk with her daily,
to be her best friend.
She is me, and I am her.
If only my body could talk.
This poem accompanied the following poll I shared in the Mighty Poets group on The Mighty:
Which title would you choose?
My Poem Was Published In a Magazine!
Excited to share my poem that was published in the Spotlight on Recovery magazine “Writer’s Choice” Part 7.
Get a better view of the poem here:
BREAKING UP WITH DARKNESS
By Nina Rondon
I was in love with the darkness.
We’ve been together for a while.
Far away but so close, I could feel it holding my hand,
kissing my cheek as I grin and bear it; putting on a fake smile.
At first our relationship seemed normal, natural I would say.
We were right in all the wrong ways.
Maybe we were soul mates, a concept I often wondered about.
I craved love, so what’s the harm in loving the darkness,
the cold, lonely dark cloud.
It wasn’t long before I noticed the pressure
the darkness was putting on me.
Expectations as deep as the ocean,
a ball and chain locked to my wrists.
Drowning would be the only option in a situation like this.
The more we were together, the more I noticed a shadow growing,
hovering over me like a tree.
It didn’t shade me, it was grief.
I wasn’t comfortable, I wanted out,
but it’s been so long since I spoke up,
I lost my voice, I couldn’t shout.
This would be the first time I stood up for myself,
I feel the stiffness as I swim up from the depths.
It looks like such a long way up, but I have to do this,
I have to take this step.
I can see the light, the more I move close;
like I was being reborn; a seed discovering its growth.
When I finally reached the surface,
I have to admit I felt lost.
This is the first time I’m out on my own without the darkness.
What am I without it?
Maybe, I should go back?
I can hear it call. No! I need this!
I’ve set myself free.
This is how I broke up with the darkness.
How I found… me.
A Confession: To the Girls That Are Like Me…
Here’s to the girl that never had a first dance
Who watched everyone at her school prom get asked out but her
Who’s been told she wasn’t pretty growing up
Who was never anyone’s first choice
Who’s been ghosted over and over
Who’s been told she was too much
Who feels like she doesn’t belong anywhere or with anyone
Who’s been used
Who fell in love with someone that didn’t feel the same
Who wished fairy tales were real
Who has cried herself to sleep wondering what went wrong
Who’s hope and desire for love is withering away with each passing day
Me too
But, despite all of this you are STILL beautiful and worthy of all the love this world has to offer. It’s OK to love on yourself, especially on those days when everything feels heavy and the shame of loneliness is eating at your mental health. There’s nothing wrong with you. You absolutely deserve the companionship you wish for. There’s still life left to live, OK?
I love you. We can continue moving forward together.
The Whispers of my Intuition
Learning to listen to the whispers of my intuition.
The more I quiet my mind, the louder it becomes.
It’s gentle and soft.
A teacher.
Each lesson allowing the seeds of self-confidence to blossom.
Unlike my ego thoughts, my intuition is quiet, kind, and gentle. If I’m not listening, I can’t hear when it’s giving me directions and guiding me through my day. I’m learning what the voice of my intuition sounds like and how it feels to pay attention. When I allow my intuitive thoughts to lead, my confidence naturally follows.
Affirmation: I trust myself and my intuition. I know who I am.
What does it feel like for you to follow your intuition? How do you know when your intuition is trying to tell you something?
Journaling Prompts: Meditation, Passions, Imagery, and Poetry
Activity
What are your thoughts on meditation?
When it comes to positive coping strategies and helpful self-care techniques, I like to hear what others do to self-soothe — even if it’s only to feel better for a momentary basis. One coping strategy that I find helpful, but often hear mixed reviews and ideas about, is meditation.
My Reflection
For me, meditation has helped me learn to connect with myself and my thoughts better; but I do feel like I have to be in a calm place mentally to meditate effectively, which leaves me procrastinating more times than not.
What are your thoughts? Do you think meditation is helpful for you or a bust?
You can also find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!
Activity
What are you passionate about?
When it comes to our passions, we can think about things that spark a light in us or make us feel good. A passion can be anything from a hobby, a truth, value or philosophy, or a cause that helps out others as well as ourselves.
My Reflection
My passion is in mental health advocacy, community building, and creativity.
Feel free to share your passions in the comments below 💌
You can also find this prompt here in the Chat Space group on The Mighty!
Activity
Write an imagery poem about how you’re feeling today.
Let’s practice our imagery writing skills!
⭐ Imagery is a literary device where you use vivid descriptions that appeal to a reader’s senses and imagination to create an image or idea in their head.
Here is my poem:
My ears are buzzing and ringing.
Bees and telephones.
Bees and telephones.
I’m wide awake.
Eyes like owls in the prime of night.
So much to do.
Time feels crammed into a soda can. There’s not enough of it, I’m craving more. I wish for more. Oh no! I missed the shooting star that just flew by.
I’m ready. Ready for what? Ready to rush?
I can’t. I need to take my time like a sloth. Going too fast makes me lose my breath. I’m hunched over because I can’t breathe.
Deep breaths. Deep breaths.
I can do it.
Run this race?
But, it’s not a race, remember?
I can slow down.
My heart is slowing down. Each beat like a soft drum.
I’m safe. I can slow down.
I’m doing good.
Feel free to share your own poem in the comments below! 💌
You can also find this prompt here in the Mighty Poets group on The Mighty!
I Deserve…
In celebration of my recent birthday I’m walking into this year with an open mind and heart to receive. I’m deserving of good things and good things flow to me effortlessly.
I deserve….
Peace of mind.
Love in abundance.
To laugh.
Consistency in my relationships with others.
To eat full meals every day.
To wake up with energy.
Sunlight.
Breaks and rest.
To sleep 8 -10 hours.
Reciprocation.
To learn new things.
To have positive experiences.
To heal my nervous system.
Friends.
A healthy and healing partnership.
To receive what I desire.
Hugs.
I deserve to feel good being who I am. I am proud of myself and move forward knowing how much I’ve achieved, especially in the past 10 years. It hasn’t always been easy, and that’s OK. I can make it through every time.
I celebrate myself.
I’ve made it this far.
Creative Writing: Escaping the Fangs of the Night
Creative Journaling Prompt: Write a free verse poem describing a time when you overcame an obstacle.
Here is my poem:
The night, a slithering snake.
Long enough to devour my consciousness.
I didn’t know how to escape the clutches of its fangs.
Wondering if I would ever escape its scales. One scale already a month’s worth of traveling. Sleepless.
Would I ever see the day where the snake, Insom, slithers away.
I concentrate. Focus. Sit where Insom rests in the subconscious realm.
I catch her and lock her away for a night.
I can finally rest and step into another realm where I’m free.
I can see the sun again.
The brightness hurts my eyes.
You can also find this prompt here in the Mighty Poets group on The Mighty.
Poetry Writing: Freedom and Success
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.
Pencil Case Prompts: Activities and Encouraging Words Reflections
Activity
What is your favorite outside activity?
What is your favorite activity to do outdoors? Perhaps you like to ski in the winter, go to the beach when it’s warm out, or even take a walk in the rain in the middle of spring. What activity do you love to participate in the most?
My Reflection
For me it’s taking a long walk in a park on a breezy spring afternoon 🌳🏞️.
What about you?
Feel free to share your favorite outdoor activity in the comments below!
Join the conversation here in The Pencil Case on TheMighty.com!
Activity
Write an encouraging note to yourself for the week ahead.
It’s the start of a new week Pencil Case family! Let’s start off the week with encouraging notes to ourselves 🌱🌟. Feel free to make your note an affirmation, reminder, song lyric, quote, funny saying, letter, or pep talk!
My Reflection
Here is my note:
Dear Nina,
You are worthy of good things, love, and happy moments. Continue to do your best! Don’t forget to meditate and drink water this week 👀🚰🧘♂. I love you.
-Nina
Bonus: Write your note on a piece of paper or somewhere where you can see it as a daily reminder this week!
Join this conversation here also in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!
SparklyWarTanks 