What does self-care look like for you today?
Today I will listen to my body and go at a pace that is best for me. I will also eat a filling breakfast, do my work, and help my mom as best I can with grocery shopping and running errands.
Warm reminder: You are worthy of self-care and taking the breaks you need today.
You can also find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty.
I’ve spent most of this year grieving, feeling like I lost so much. Chasing after validation and the affection of other people’s presence. Wondering where I went wrong, why I felt so alone, and why I wasn’t worthy or couldn’t be worthy of the love I so desperately thought I needed.
Twelve months in and I finally understand why I was placed in a space where I couldn’t go anywhere but into myself. I’ve faced and battled with the uglier parts of me, one part being the thoughts of unworthiness largely due to how the little girl inside of me felt.
She thought that no one loved her and she wasn’t good enough just as she was. She thought that she had to change and shift into what others liked so she can finally be accepted and finally feel love, too.
But, I’ve sat with that little girl and told her that she’s more than worthy of all the love that’s out there WITHOUT having to change or hide one single thing about herself. She can enjoy organizing, and reading books, learning, trying new things, and comfort items… so many comfort items! She can be scared and feel all her feelings. She can be sensitive because that 100% OK. She can be creative and show love to others. She can be goofy and tell funny jokes. She can even make mistakes and feel uncomfortable, too. She can stand up for herself, work on her relationships and be loved while STILL BEING 100% herself.
I want that little girl to know that I love her. I know she still gets scared sometimes. I want her to trust me when I tell her that I got us and she doesn’t have to be scared anymore. That we are powerful and stepping into our season of deserving.
Affirmation and intention for 2023: I am a celebration. I am worthy of love and love flows to me effortlessly. I don’t chase, I attract. I am a magnet for abundance. I release any and everything that isn’t a part of my higher purpose. I am walking in my power.
I release any and all energies that do not belong to me. I align with opportunities and experiences in my highest timeline. I continuously radiate and attract love.
I’m ready for what’s next.
How’s everyone’s day been? For me I’ve been struggling.
I didn’t realize how hard this pandemic has affected me until I started to reconnect with others. Having perceptions of safety and holding to my boundaries made sense when I built a safe place alone, but it becomes real when something “triggers your inner untapped wound”, and for me its my fear of abandonment. The thought that no matter what, everyone will leave eventually or no matter how hard I try no one can reciprocate the love I feel for them especially when I love them…a lot. I tend to run away in embarrassment because “I love someone who can’t love me too”.
This in my nervous system manifest as PTSD, anxiety, and a slab of persistent depressive disorder.
I talk a lot about reflection and healing, but that’s because I know how it feels to experience a mental health condition. Healing my nervous system has been my biggest challenge so far in my life. If you know what it’s like to have a mental health condition, know that I see you, I feel you, and I love you. This journey doesn’t make you weak because it isn’t for the weak.
Just the idea that I can be perceived as “mentally ill” has kept me from exploring new relationships, but I don’t want that for myself. I deserve to be loved by others. I can be loved by others. I will be loved by others. I’ve healed a lot over the past two and half years, but THIS WOUND? It really HURTS.
In this new season of my life, I know I have to work on this pain specifically and I know it’s going to HURT A LOT. Pushing myself to open up fully, be transparent, and unapologetically love without fear will break me to build me back up.
I know I will make mistakes and some people won’t understand me, but that’s OK. I still want to spread unconditional love and kindness to others.
Thank you for reading. Continue to journey with me ❤️.
In honor of World Mental Health Day let’s reflect and share our experiences, perspectives, and goals!
Pick a leaf and follow the prompt that goes with that leaf:
1. 🍁 Share a mental health victory you’ve had this year.
2. 🌱 Write a list of three ways you can prioritize your mental health this week.
3. ☘️ Finish this sentence: My mental health is important because
____________________.
I choose all three leaves today ☺️
🍁: This year I continued therapy and grew so much in self-love!
🌱: Three ways I can prioritize my mental health is by getting enough sleep (8-9 hours), eating breakfast every day, and writing in my journal to manage my overthinking.
☘️: My mental health is important because I deserve to feel at peace within myself and feel proud of how far I’ve come on my journey.
You can also find this prompt on The Mighty here.
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. 🌱💌
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.
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 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.
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.
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
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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!
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?
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!
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!
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
It’s Possible
With each thought of impossibility lies a possibility, a possibility to shift and change the perception of that thought.
In times of confusion, fear, doubt, or worry know what possibilities can be crafted.
Possibilities we can create include:
As we navigate the possibilities in our lives we open channels to perceive, observe and reflect on what is happening. With understanding where we fit in our experiences, we create opportunities for awareness, growth and change.
Let’s create possibilities in our lives.
SparklyWarTanks 