Posted in Mental Health, Other Accomplishments, The Mighty

Be There Certificate!

Hi Sparkly family!

I wanted to share a free resource I was able to complete last month as a part of my Mighty responsabilities. It’s called the “Be There Certificate.” This certificate is great for helping to learn different ways you can support someone who may be struggling with their mental health, from language you can use to steps you can take to support the people who matter to you! It’s not always the easiest to navigate and approach difficult moments, but it’s definitely worth exploring in what ways you can help 🦋.

If you want to check out the certificate, you can follow the link here: https://betherecertificate.org

Posted in Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Other Accomplishments, Reflection

I Participated In The NAMI-NYC Seeds of Hope Gala!

I’m so excited to share that I participated in the NAMI-NYC Seeds of Hope Gala! It was an amazing experience for me to share some of my story and use my voice to help such an impactful non-profit organization. I’ve been volunteering with NAMI-NYC for almost a year and a half, first as an ending the silence young adult presenter, to an expressive arts workshop host, to a young adult support group facilitator.

Watch the full video here!

Posted in Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Mental Health, Other Accomplishments, Potential and Worth

You are Invited to Take My Beginners Writing Course on TabletWise!

I’m inviting you to take my beginners writing class, “The Power of I: Learn to Write your Life, Instantly Find your Voice, and Creatively Express your Mind Daily” on TabletWise.com, a top health site that provides access to thousands of health and personal development classes

**Want to learn more about TabletWise? Read this article.

In “The Power of I:”

  • Students will learn how to utilize their voices to create creative pieces. They will be able to do so using their personal experiences, interests, hopes, perspectives, and ideas they are passionate about.
  • Students will brainstorm writing prompts, ideas, and interests to catalyst creative writing pieces.
  • Students will learn how to utilize the writing resources around them, both on digital interfaces as well as physical writing materials, to influence their creative process and vulnerability.
  • Students will establish writing goals and list writing topics for a series of creative and expressive writing pieces.
  • Students will write a series creative piece in any genre/form they would like (quote, poem, article, list of thoughts, visual, note) that reflects personal experiences, interests, hopes, perspectives, and ideas they feel passionate about.

Excited about expressing yourself and want to navigate a lasting writing habit? This class will help in exploring creative and expressive writing as a lens to building your voice, confidence, and perspective.

You don’t want to miss out!

Posted in Creations, Creative Writing, Mental Health, Other Accomplishments, Potential and Worth, Power, Self-Talk, The Mighty

#MightyPoets: Weeding Out My Past

I let go.
Everything.
I allow myself to flourish.
To bloom.
I pull all the weeds from around my insides.
I breathe again.
I inhale.
And exhale.
And with every exhale I blow it all away.
Into the universe.
Where it can no longer be found.
Getting lost behind the clouds.
Behind the stars.
I’m free now.
I’m free.
I let go.
Everything.
Weeding out my past.

Find this poem on my Mighty Page

Posted in Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Notes, Other Accomplishments, Potential and Worth, Power, Self-Care, Self-Talk, The Mighty

Mighty Notes Series Note 37: #CheckInWithMe

July was an exciting month for me! Following becoming a community leader on The Mighty, I had the privilege of hosting my own #CheckInWithMe three-part Notes Series!

My series included an intro (which was sent out in the #CheckInWithMe Newsletter via email) as well as a post on my Mighty Page.

Below is a sneak peek of the three parts.

**You are always welcomed to join the conversation and write a note!


Part 1

Portion of intro

…Whether I’m on the go or sitting on my bed with a million thoughts, checking in with myself is the most productive way I’ve learned to stop, think and reflect. In doing so, I’m able to pinpoint how I’m feeling as well as possible reasons and next steps I can take to feel better. Writing is the main tool I use to make all of my thoughts more tangible — it allows me to vent and get everything out.

Starting can be the most difficult task when writing, but not to worry! I’m sharing some writing prompts above so you can #CheckInWithMe if you have a hard time checking in with yourself.

Here is a list of writing prompts you can use to kick-start your checking in process:

  1. This *insert event* made me feel…
  2. Today’s mental health goals are…
  3. These are the reasons why I’m proud of myself:…
  4. I’ve been thinking a lot about…
  5. I’m feeling *insert emotion* today…
  6. I want to…
  7. I hope…
  8. I love…
  9. I will…

Link to my Mighty Post for part 1 here.


Part 2 (Introducing Notes)

Portion of Intro

Aside from writing on The Mighty, I also enjoy creating small writing projects to stay focused on my goals. This helps me stay positive and keep track of my mental health. One habit I’ve picked up in my blogging/writing journey is to write a note, message or thought on my blog when I’m feeling down, curious, angry, anxious or accomplished. Keeping up with this habit has allowed me to build self-awareness and remain in touch with my inner thoughts while staying positive.

Whether it’s on a phone app, post-it note, dry-erase board or in a journal, today I challenge you to write a note too. It can be long or short, a simple thought or even a goal. The idea is to write down ideas and thoughts that motivate you to keep going. The note might even help you to write something more extensive in the future!

In your note you can write:

  • Affirmations
  • Declarations
  • An encouraging thought
  • Reminders to keep going
  • Lists of mental health goals and milestones

To get started you can ask yourself how you are feeling, what you want to accomplish, why you are having recurring thoughts about a specific subject, next steps to a goal, or encouraging words you would like to be reminded of.

Link to my Mighty post for part 2 here.


Part 3

**Mighty post and intro are the same.

Mighty post

Title: Keep Checking in With Yourself. Keep Writing Notes.

It’s okay to not feel okay today or any other day. Although some days are more difficult than others check in with yourself and write, be creative. Writing notes has saved me from feeling trapped and voiceless and can help you too. Write a note to remind yourself that you can get through whatever you are going through.

Thank you to everyone who shared and commented last week or this week. You are brave and amazing.

Remember that you are filled with purpose and worth. Your power is immense and you can achieve all that you believe you can. Your voice and story are important. There is only one of you and your voice is one of a kind.

Keep writing notes!

You can find this post on The Mighty here!


Writing notes has been a part of my Sparkly experience for about 2 years. I’m excited to share the impact of writing and how it can help you too!

The more I heal and become who I want to be, the more excited I am to share what helped me get where I am.

Posted in Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Other Accomplishments

Life Coaching Certification!

I finished my third certification!

I’m so excited to share that I’ve completed my life coaching certification! It took  so much persistence and determination, but I’ve learned so much.  I will use what I’ve learned from this course to continue to write engaging content that helps build self-awareness and reflection!

**You can find all of my certifications above on the certifications page.

Posted in Mental Health, Other Accomplishments

Mindfulness Certification!

I’m so excited to share the second certificate I received!

It took some self-determination and motivation, but as I sat and learned about mindfulness, its history, benefits, practices, and ways it can improve your mental health, it was easy to realize how beneficial it would be for me and my future mental health events.

As I begin to meditate and practice mindful exercises, I will document and share my experiences. I’m excited to try something new in my mental health journey!

Posted in Confessions, Events, Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Late Night Talks With Nina, Mental Health, Other Accomplishments, Potential and Worth, Power, Reflection, Self-Care, Self-Talk, Videos

A Reflection: The Mighty Mic

The Mighty Mic was an amazing experience. I’m extremely grateful that I was able to collaborate with The Mighty to help my community as they find strength in their mental health struggles. Here are some highlights from my event and a message that I learned.  I will be planning and hosting more events so stay tuned!

My Open Mic Poem: A Messy Masterpiece

I look up to the rainbow that extends from one end of the equator to the other.

The rain that just passed has drenched me with growing pains as the flowers sprout from my insides out.

A messy masterpiece they called me.

As I feel the thunderstorms inside my gut, my tears run frantically like uncontrolled children in the playground.
A messy masterpiece they call me.
I can’t breathe like someone is putting duct tape on my mouth as I try to scream, my surrounding get blurry again, I can’t see
Overwhelm
A messy masterpiece they call me
I’m a mess I say
They say
They look at me confused because I’m in one of my silent spells, they think I’m upset but really I’m in this deep dark place in my head, my body is free but my mind captive
A messy masterpiece they call me

Sometimes my bed arrest me

I’m in trouble from the thoughts that told on me, I broke the law

Now I’m confined to my pillow and blankets, I got life but I’m planning on breaking out
Sooner than later because I deserve to be free
A messy masterpiece they call me
You see, my footprints tell a story
It’s not just an abandoned trial
It’s meant to be a pathway for other people like me
How I walked that walk and now they can see a way they can go
They too are messy masterpieces fashioned together to make beautiful poetry learning that their voices too do still matter
Because ears that need to listen will be drawn to the sounds of their voices in the distance
The Mighty Voices
A messy masterpiece they call me

My Story and Advice

After some mighty poets and speakers shared I was compelled to share my story to them as well. I noticed a pattern in the themes that recurred in the poems and pieces everyone shared and thought I would give some advice based on what I learned.

Late Night Talks With Nina: Final Thoughts

Navigating Purpose

Purpose, worth, self-talk, and identity were themes that recurred while I sat and soaked in the message of each story. While we are faced with difficulties with our mental health, it’s often due to mental conversations about those themes. As we continue on in our journey and our battle we must let go of the notion of a single purpose or single mission conforming to the standards of the society we live. Instead, we must continuously walk in our own self-fulfillment-whatever that looks like-while also navigating our peace through the opportunities we are able to take up. We live our life through how much we are filled with happiness and satisfaction with what we are doing. Let’s not waste ourselves with expecting purpose to manifest without manifesting ourselves in the process. We manifest purpose by being alive and continue fulfilling our own talents. Learn yourself, love yourself, and find peace through appreciating your life and the opportunity to live it.

Posted in Confessions, Other Accomplishments

I’m Featured in a Newspaper Article!

From Facebook memes to gaming platforms: Where college students turn when they can’t discuss mental illness on campus

Nina Rondon is a 24-year-old Latina woman who grew up in a conservative Christian family in Brooklyn. She has suffered from anxiety and depression for several years but initially didn’t know how to describe her experience.

“Especially in the Latinx community, you don’t want to say you have depression,” Rondon said. “You don’t get treatment. You pray about it.”

Read more in the link above in article by Aneri Pattani