As I prepare for my first NAMI-NYC Expressive Arts workshop for the year (I will share the flyer soon), I want to go back and share the affirmations we closed off each workshop with last year. I’m grateful for every opportunity I have to creatively express myself with a community I care so much about ♥️.
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.
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?
Due to unforeseen circumstances I was not able to have my November 2023 Expressive Arts workshop but, I’m very excited to announce the NAMI-NYC Expressive Arts workshop I will be hosting on Saturday December 30th! This event will be via Zoom and on the NAMI-NYC website. You can find the link here. On the day of the event click the Expressive Arts Zoom link for December 30th, 2023.
IMPORTANT: This Expressive Arts workshop and the ones following this one are from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm!
If you have any questions or concerns feel free to send me a DM or 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:
Seasonal Reflections
Description:
“Seasonal Reflections” is a creative and reflective event where we will draw and write about the closing of this year, 2023. Starting with an ice breaker, we will sketch an image and complete this sentence: If I could describe this year using one word, the word I would use is _______ . The main activity will then be to pick one of three activities. The first activity will be to draw an image or series of images of things that remind you of this time of year (this can include holiday themes, the change in weather, family or community traditions, special events etc.), the second activity will be to write a poem or journal entry about how this year was for you overall, things you’ve learned, or what you would like to let go of/move on from, and the third activity will be to make a seasonal or holiday card of your choosing. Lastly, we will close by sharing our works of art.
Materials
Paper, writing utensils (pen, pencil, markers, or crayons).
Schedule
2:00 – 2:20: Introductions and Ice breaker
2:20 – 3:00: Main Activity
3:00 – 3:30: Sharing and Closing
Hope to see you there!
What’s something you want to practice more moving forward?
As the year winds down, I find myself reflecting on what I want to focus on — especially in terms of the relationship I have with myself. One of the things I want to intentionally practice is having more patience and love for myself. I notice that when I think too deeply or for too long about the expectations I have, I tend to be very self-critical which leaves me feeling stuck. I want to learn how to show myself more grace when I’m faced with uncomfortable or uncontrollable circumstances.
What about you? What’s something you want to practice more that’ll be helpful for you?
You can also find this prompt in The Pencil Case on The Mighty here.
Dear 2023…
Activity:
Let’s write farewell letters to 2023 this week. In your letters you can add things you’ve learned, things you want to let go of and move on from, important events that happened, how you want to move forward, or how your health has impacted you. Write whatever feels good!
Reflection:
Here’s my letter:
Dear 2023,
A lot has happened this year. I’ve felt so much grief, sadness, and confusion. I’ve experienced new symptoms and felt the weight of the world on my shoulders — some days it was even too heavy to carry by myself. I’ve had moments where I gave my best and didn’t feel like it was enough, or that I wasn’t worthy of the companionship, friendships, relationships, or the love I was craving. I’ve been really tired.
2023, I’ve extended myself and my love to so many people that I saw were suffering around the world. I still hold them deep in my heart.
I’ve had conversations and listened to stories that’s opened my perspective and learned new things from others.
Moving forward, 2023, I want to be more confident in myself, in my voice, my talents, and my skills. I don’t want to hide when I feel afraid because in the past that made me feel safe. I want to continue to advocate and show others that it’s OK not to be OK and there are people who care about them… like me! I want to be kinder to myself because I deserve kindness, and be gentler with myself because I deserve gentleness. I want to continue to listen to the stories of others and grow in awareness of what they experience. (If you’re reading this, your voice matters!)
I also want to thank the people who have helped me get through this year like my therapist, my mom, sister, NAMI-NYC fam, favorite Mighty boss lady kat, fellow kind soul and community teammate skye, plus all of you reading this right now. Any kind word or positive energy sent was received and greatly appreciated.
Farewell 2023.
It’s been a roller coaster,
Nina aka SparklyWarTanks
You can also find this prompt in The Pencil Case on The Mighty here.
What’s a challenge you’re working to overcome?
Let’s talk a bit about some challenges we’re being faced with and the ways we are managing, navigating, and/or overcoming them (whatever that looks like!).
A challenge I’m working to overcome is motivating myself to be more active, go out, and open myself up to new opportunities. A theme I’ve noticed this year overall in terms of my self-care and growth is gaining enough confidence in myself to do things out of my comfort zone. I know that I have some fears of the unknown, so I’m being patient with myself as I explore new and different possibilities.
What about you?
You can also find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!
What’s keeping you going right now?
With all that’s happening in the world and with all the challenges we are faced with (holiday depression, anyone?), I want to say I’m super proud of each and every one of you who may be also experiencing challenges, too (including myself 🙂).
Today, let’s share what’s keeping us going! Hope is healing, right?
I’ll go first!
My family and my passion to continue sharing my story are what’s keeping me going right now.
You can also find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!
So very excited to announce the NAMI-NYC Expressive Arts workshop event I will be hosting tomorrow! This event will be via Zoom and on the NAMI-NYC website. You can find the link here. Click the Expressive Arts Zoom link for October 28th, 2023.
IMPORTANT: This Expressive Arts workshop and the ones following this one are from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm!
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:
My Treasure Map
Description:
“My Treasure Map” is a relaxing and fun event where we will draw, write, and reflect about what’s most important to us. Starting with an ice breaker, we will sketch an image and write a thank you note to a person, place, thing, or ideas that’s been helpful for us this year. The main activity will then be to pick one of two activities. The first activity will be to draw a treasure map with all the things we find valuable in our lives, and the second activity will be to write a poem or journal entry about something or someone that’s made a profound impact on us. Lastly, we will close by sharing our works of art.
Materials:
Paper, writing utensils (pen, pencil, markers, or crayons).
Schedule
2:00 – 2:20: Introductions and Ice breaker
2:20 – 3:00: Main Activity
3:00 – 3:30: Sharing and Closing
Hope to see you there!
Sometimes I look at myself and get lost in my thoughts. I think about all that’s happened up to this point. I think about the decisions I’ve made and what “success” looks like for me. I wonder about experiences I wish I would have and the possibility of them happening. I rummage in my body looking for unfamiliar feelings and accessing them more regularly. Hope is one of those feelings. I imagine myself thriving in hope. As I push forward, I sit with my fear and allow it to pass through, it’s a part of me, too. I’m gentle with myself and I’m learning to go slow as I let go of control.
I’m deserving of good things and love, of life showering me with experiences that fill me with happiness. I’m allowed to be a person, to make mistakes, and to move on from them. I’m doing a good job. There’s no timeline I have to be on. There’s no one in front of me or behind me. It’s just me experiencing this reality. I can let go of all my expectations to be anything more than what I am right now.
I’m where I need to be in the body that’s mine. I’m who I need to be in order to be successful. I’m enough and nothing can change this fact.
So very excited to announce the NAMI-NYC Expressive Arts workshop event I will be facilitating tomorrow! This event will be via Zoom and on the NAMI-NYC website. You can find the link here. Click the Expressive Arts Zoom link for September 30, 2023.
IMPORTANT: This Expressive Arts workshop and the ones following this one are from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm!
If you have any questions or concerns feel free to send me a DM or 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
Abstract!
Description
“Abstract!” is a relaxing and fun event where we will draw, write, and create. Starting with an ice breaker, we will sketch an image and share a self-care goal we have for the month of October. The main activity will then be to pick one of two activities. The first activity will be to create an abstract drawing, and the second activity will be to write a free verse poem about what thoughts, images, and ideas come to mind when hearing the word “art.” Lastly, we will close by sharing our works of art.
Materials
Paper, writing utensils (pen, pencil, markers, or crayons).
Schedule
2:00 – 2:20: Introductions and Ice breaker
2:20 – 3:00: Main Activity
3:00 – 3:30: Sharing and Closing
Hope to see you there!
I’ve been thinking a lot about my personal standards lately and why setting them straight is essential to my growth and mental health journey. What is a standard you ask? Great question.
A standard is a rule, expectation, or guiding factor to live by, especially when we’re navigating or making decisions. What we hold as a standard creates a blueprint for us to follow, ensuring we stay true to our values and what’s most important to us.
One of my newer, non-negotiable standards I’m following — especially as it applies to my perfectionism and people-pleasing recovery — is to make sure I’m respecting my time and energy by paying attention and setting limits to how much of myself I give to others, and ensuring my relationships are mutual and not one-sided. I deserve to be loved as much as I love others.
What’s yours?
You can also find this reflection prompt in the Cheer Me On group on The Mighty here.
SparklyWarTanks 