Category: Mental Health

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.

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

Pencil Case Prompts: Pick a flame! 🔥

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity

What flame do you want to ignite within yourself more? What are you working on getting better at?

🔵🔥 Blue Flame: Confidence

🌕🔥 Yellow Flame: Self-awareness

🔶🔥 Orange Flame: Creativity/self-expression

🔴🔥 Red Flame: Self-advocacy/standing up for yourself

Note: Feel free to also choose your own flames in the comments below!

My Reflection

I choose all four flames! I want to continue working on my growth overall, especially when it comes to my relationships, creativity, and career. I also want to work on being confident in my decisions and staying true to my intuition.

You can also find this prompt here in The Pencil Case 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

Pencil Case Prompts: Today’s Self-care

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity

What does self-care look like for you today?

My Reflection

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.

Posted in Mental Health, Power, Reflection, Self-Care, Self-Talk

More 2022 Reflections: I Am A Celebration. Validating The Experiences Of My Inner Child

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

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.