Category: Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration

Posted in Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Self-Care, Self-Talk, The Mighty

More April Writing Prompts and Reflections: Finding Your Happy Place and Lesson Learning

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity

What does your “happy place” look like?

If someone told you to mentally visualize a “calm and happy place” in your mind, what would that place look like?

One of the practices that’s helps me over the years — especially in times of overwhelm, or even when I started practicing mindfulness — is visualization. When I want to create a safe space for myself, it’s been helpful for me to mentally craft what that place would look like in my mind.

My Reflection

My “calm and happy place” is walking through a nice green field with flowers on a sunny day. In the distance I can see a stream and a large tree where butterflies are slowly fluttering around.

You can also check out this prompt in the Check In With Me group on The Mighty here!

Activity

What’s a lesson you’re learning this year?

My Reflection

This year has been a doozy for me in terms of learning lessons and considering/prioritizing my needs. Sometimes it would be great to just get a break 😅.

A lesson I’m learning so far in 2023 is that it’s OK to put myself first even when I feel guilty, this includes asking for help or standing up for myself and staying true to my boundaries.

What are you learning these days?

You can also check out this prompt in the Chat Space group on The Mighty here!

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

Pencil Case Journaling Prompts: Finish the Sentence and Mental Health Goals

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity

Finish this sentence: I’m proud of myself for ________________.

Let’s cheer one another on today! What are you proud of yourself for right now?

My Reflection

I’ll go first!

I’m proud of myself for continuing to push through, completing my daily tasks, and working on my personal projects. I’ve been struggling a lot with my mental health these past few weeks, but I’ve still been able to get my work done and make it to this moment right now 🌸. 

You can also find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!

Activity

What’s a collection of words or phrases that represent your mental health goals for this month?

As we keeping marching on through the month of April, let’s make a list of words that represent the mental health-minded goals we have for ourselves.

My Reflection

🌈 Here is my collection of words:

Resilience
Self-reflection
Standing up for myself
Realizing my needs
Conversations
Sunlight
Love
Challenging my bad habits
Consistency
Practice
New perspectives

What’s on your list?

You can also find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!

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

Mighty Reflections: Things that Matter, Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone, and Building Self-Confidence

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity

What matters to you the most right now?

For today’s reflection prompt, let’s think about the things we find important.

My Reflection

Here is my list:

🧠 My mental health
🧘 My peace of mind
👪 Family and friends
💕 Spreading love to others
🦋 Taking one moment at a time
💵 Paying attention to my finances
🌹Healing my inner child and going to therapy
🥙🚰 Making sure I’m eating enough and drinking water
❤️ My Mighty work!

What’s on your list?

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

Activity

What’s one thing you can do outside your comfort zone that will benefit you in your health journey this month? 

My Reflection

As I walk in my recovery journey, I often find myself at a crossroads with my comfort zone. On one hand, I find myself choosing what’s most familiar to me because it easier to access, but on the other hand I know that change and new habits can benefit my growth, especially when it comes to self-care and consistency 🤔.

Something I’m trying that I know will benefit me and my mental health —and is out of my comfort zone — is reaching out and talking to someone when I catch myself overthinking. It’s so easy for me to go hours feeling overwhelmed when I know it would be helpful to talk out my concerns with someone else.

What about you? What can you do outside your comfort zone that will benefit your journey?

You can also find this prompt in The Self-Care Lounge on The Mighty here.

Activity

What helps you boost your self-confidence when you’re feeling down? 

My Reflection

March felt like such a long month for me 😩. My thoughts have been racing for the longest time. I think it’s time for me to prioritize some self-care that’ll boost my self-confidence. 

What usually helps me the most is getting my eyebrows done, getting dressed up, and taking myself out on a solo date. I’ll make sure to add that to my to-do list right away 📆✍️.

What about you? What do you do to help boost your self-confidence? 

You can also find this prompt in The No Shame group on The Mighty here.

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

Mighty Reflection Prompts: Feel-Good Moments and Mindful Releases

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity

What was the last thing you did for yourself or someone else that made you feel good?

Let’s share some feel-good moments with one another!

My Reflection

The last thing I did for myself that made me feel good was make myself tea and allow myself time to be proud of myself for completing all of my tasks for the week. Checking off that last to-do on Friday to enjoy my weekend felt so good!

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

Activity

Finish this sentence: I release the need to _________. 

Let’s take some deep breaths and release what’s been keeping us from moving forward. 

My Reflection

I release the need to know what will happen next in my life and welcome each moment as it comes. I am on the right path.

Feel free to also check out this post in the Check In With Me group on The Mighty here.

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

Pencil Case Prompts: Free Write

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity

In the comments below, your own Pencil Case post, or in a personal journal, take a minute or two to just write. You can jot down a poem, a note, a reminder to yourself; share about something you created or an experience you’ve had recently; write some words of encouragement, a challenge you’ve been having, or a goal that you have.

My Reflection

My free write will be a list of affirmations and encouraging words to myself:

✅ My feelings are valid.
🌸 I can trust my intuition. What I’m experiencing is real.
🌎 I can create possibilities even when my mind is telling me some things are impossible.
❤️ I deserve positive experiences.
🦋  I’m worthy of all things good.
☀️ Just because something hasn’t happened for me doesn’t mean it’ll never happen.
🔥I’m powerful.

Also find this prompt in The Pencil Case here on TheMighty.com

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

NAMI-NYC Virtual Expressive Arts Workshop Event: Shine Your Light

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

So very excited to announce the NAMI-NYC Expressive Arts workshop event I will be facilitating at the end of the month!  This event will be via Zoom and on the NAMI-NYC website. You can find the link to the event here. On the day of the event click the Expressive Arts Zoom link for February 25th, 2023.

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

Shine Your Light

Description

“Shine Your Light” is a creative and fun event where we will reflect and share about our most authentic selves. Starting with an ice breaker, we will sketch an image and finish this sentence “I feel good when I _____.” The main activity will then be to pick one of two activities. The first activity will be to either draw a sun, light bulb, or candle, and around our drawing write down our hobbies, skills, talents, interests and things we are good at or learning to be good at; and the second activity will be to write a descriptive poem about a moment when we felt free to be ourselves. Lastly, we will close by sharing our works of art.

Materials

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

Schedule

5:30 – 5:50: Introductions and Ice breaker

5:50 – 6:30: Main Activity

6:30 – 7:00: Sharing and Closing 

Hope to see you there!

Posted in Events, Mental Health, Self-Care

NAMI-NYC 2023 Expressive Arts Schedule!

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

I’m having a few more Expressive Arts workshops this year! 

Here is the schedule:

February 25, 2023 (5:30 pm – 7:00 pm)

April 29, 2023 (2:00 pm – 3:30 pm)

May 27, 2023 (2:00 pm – 3:30 pm)

July 29, 2023 (2:00 pm – 3:30 pm)

September 30, 2023 (2:00 pm – 3:30 pm)

October 28, 2023 (2:00 pm – 3:30 pm)

November 25, 2023 (2:00 pm – 3:30 pm)

December 30, 2023 (2:00 pm – 3:30 pm)

All workshops are free and virtual!

To join all you have to do is check out this link here and click the zoom links on each individual day or scan the QR code above!

Important note: Events after February will begin at 2:00 pm and end at 3:30 pm.

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

Pencil Case Prompts: Prizes from your wellness goodie bag 🛍️

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

What do you need from your wellness goodie bag today?

☀️ Sunshine 
💭A helpful perspective 
❤️ Support 
🛣️ Letting go and moving forward
🌸 A mindful activity 
🔋Energy and rest
🥪 A yummy snack 

Note: Feel free to include your own wellness needs in the comments below! 💌 

I definitely need ☀️ sunshine and 🌸 a mindful activity today. 

Affirmation: I honor my needs and take one step at a time. I am important. 

You can also find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!

Posted in Creative Writing, Mental Health, Self-Care, Self-Talk, The Mighty

Creative Writing: Escaping the Fangs of the Night

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

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.

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

Mighty Reflection Prompts: Coming to Terms and Defining Family

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity

What’s something about yourself that you’re coming to terms with?

My Reflection

So much reflection, so little time. 😅

I feel like I’ve learned more about myself in the last three months than I have the past 15 years. Maybe I’ve said this before, but I’m being so serious 😣. Something I’m understanding more though now, is just how important it is for me to open myself to new experiences — without fear or hesitation. I thrive in moments where I feel free to express myself fully and hope to create those type of moments in my life. I don’t want to feel restricted or dampen my creative potential anymore.

What about you? Is there anything you’re coming to terms with about yourself?

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

Activity

How do you define family?

Reflection

I’ve been thinking a lot about family lately 🤔. When I used to think about family, I only equated it with the loved ones I’m related to — but that definition is long gone now. It’s taken on new meaning for me over the past few years. I’m curious if any of you feel the same.

Now when I think about family now, I include everyone here on The Mighty, people from NAMI-NYC, friends, and even the people who I no longer speak to that had a great impact on my journey.

What do you think? How do you define family?

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