Happy New Year, Sparkly family! Let’s continue to journey together in 2024 💌.
Here’s a final reflection prompt for the year 🙂:
If you created your own “Happy New Year” holiday card, what message or gift would you add inside of it?
I’ll go first!
I would write the message, “Congratulations, you’ve successfully passed to the next level!” and add a gift card with an unlimited amount of hugs in it 🥹🥳.
What would you add inside your card?
Feel free to also find this prompt in The Pencil Case on The Mighty here.
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.
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!
When you come across this post, I invite you take this 2-step mindful moment with me:
Step 1: Pause for a second and scoop up the moment just for you — you deserve it. Close your eyes, put your hand to your chest (if you can), and take one big deep breath.
Step 2: List two or three things you need from yourself today.
⭐ Note: Feel free to write your list in the comments below! ⭐️
Here is my list:
Two things I need from myself today: patience in allowing myself to process my emotions fully, and permission to complete my work and responsibilities at a pace that’s most comfortable for me.
You can also find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!
What’s something you could use a break from?
Do you know what I could use right now? A break 😫. Especially from my ruminating thoughts and pile of responsibilities. Today, I definitely need to take a moment to recollect myself, ugh 🥹.
Is there anything you could use a break from?
You can also find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty as well!
What’s something fun you can do between now and the end of the year?
Lately it’s been really important for me to do things that I enjoy, especially since my depression has been at an all-time high, and I’m trying my absolute hardest not to let my low feelings consume my sense of adventure and fulfillment.
In order to get on top of my self-care, I’ve been brainstorming some things I can do for the remainder of 2023 that’ll help me feel a bit better about myself.
Here is my list of things I plan to do:
🍎 Go apple picking with my family 🥬 Go to a new vegan restaurant 📅 Take myself on a date once a month and buy myself something nice 💎 Find and go to a new crystal store I can explore
What about you?
This prompt can also be found in the Self-Care Lounge group on The Mighty here!
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.
Write an encouraging message to yourself for the month ahead.
It’s already August! I can barely believe it 😩. Let’s continue this month with encouraging and uplifting messages to ourselves ⭐.
Here is my message:
Dear Nina,
You’re doing a great job getting through the year. I know it hasn’t been easy and you’ve wanted to give up so many times, but you haven’t. You’re a warrior! Never forget that you’re worthy of love, peace, and abundance of all kinds. Continue to do your best and please rest when you need to.
I love you, Nina
Also find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!
Which permission slip do you need today?
Comment with which one(s) you’re adding to your self-love binder this upcoming week:
🚫 Permission to set a boundary 🛏️ Permission to rest and relax 💌 Permission to prioritize myself 🤝 Permission to ask for help 🌱 Permission to feel my feelings 🗣️ Permission to speak up for myself 🥳 Permission to have some fun 🌟 Permission to treat myself to something nice 📜 Blank permission slip (create your own and share it in the comments below!)
I definitely will be taking 2 permission slips today; one to prioritize myself 💌 and the other to feel my feelings 🌱.
Also find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!
We all experience health, from how we take care of our bodies or manage our health symptoms/conditions, to the decisions we make in our life and how we maintain a state of well-being — physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and socially. This, of course, looks different for all of us since we’re all unique and have different experiences.
My Reflection
To me, “healthy” means and looks like knowing where my limits are and feeling good in my body. Health for me also looks like understanding myself and allowing myself to feel my feelings, always being mindful of how much sleep I’m getting, and knowing how and when to ask for help.
What about you? What does “healthy” look like for you?
Find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!
Activity
Finish this sentence: I’m looking forward to _________.
My Reflection
Guess what?!
I don’t really get the opportunity to go out to big events much, but I’m going to an NF concert (who I absolutely love) and I’m super excited! I’ve been looking forward to this for months and it’s finally here 😁🙌. Yay me!
What’s something you’re looking forward to? 👀
Let’s cheer each other on in the comments below! 🥳💃
Find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!
When it comes to positive coping strategies and helpful self-care techniques, I like to hear what others do to self-soothe — even if it’s only to feel better for a momentary basis. One coping strategy that I find helpful, but often hear mixed reviews and ideas about, is meditation.
My Reflection
For me, meditation has helped me learn to connect with myself and my thoughts better; but I do feel like I have to be in a calm place mentally to meditate effectively, which leaves me procrastinating more times than not.
What are your thoughts? Do you think meditation is helpful for you or a bust?
You can also find this prompt herein The Pencil Case on The Mighty!
Activity
What are you passionate about?
When it comes to our passions, we can think about things that spark a light in us or make us feel good. A passion can be anything from a hobby, a truth, value or philosophy, or a cause that helps out others as well as ourselves.
My Reflection
My passion is in mental health advocacy, community building, and creativity.
Feel free to share your passions in the comments below 💌
You can also find this prompt here in the Chat Space group on The Mighty!
Activity
Write an imagery poem about how you’re feeling today.
Let’s practice our imagery writing skills!
⭐ Imagery is a literary device where you use vivid descriptions that appeal to a reader’s senses and imagination to create an image or idea in their head.
Here is my poem:
My ears are buzzing and ringing. Bees and telephones. Bees and telephones. I’m wide awake. Eyes like owls in the prime of night. So much to do. Time feels crammed into a soda can. There’s not enough of it, I’m craving more. I wish for more. Oh no! I missed the shooting star that just flew by.
I’m ready. Ready for what? Ready to rush?
I can’t. I need to take my time like a sloth. Going too fast makes me lose my breath. I’m hunched over because I can’t breathe.
Deep breaths. Deep breaths.
I can do it. Run this race? But, it’s not a race, remember? I can slow down.
My heart is slowing down. Each beat like a soft drum.
I’m safe. I can slow down. I’m doing good.
Feel free to share your own poem in the comments below! 💌
You can also find this prompt here in the Mighty Poets group on The Mighty!
Name 3 things you want to do during the month of June.
It’s already June and I can barely believe it 😩. How is half the year almost over? Time is flying, literally.
Let’s share some things we want to accomplish, prioritize, or experience this month.
My Reflection
Here is my list!
⏰ Continue to go to bed before 2:00 a.m. 📋 Make sure to prioritize myself and my needs every day along with my daily responsibilities. ☀️ Get outside for fresh air regularly during the week.
You can also find this prompt here in the Chat Space group on The Mighty!
Activity
What’s something you’ve been practicing recently?
My Reflection
I’ll go first!
I’m trying to get better at identifying my emotions and knowing what to do and who to ask for help when I feel overwhelmed.
You can also find this prompt here in the Cheer Me On group on The Mighty!
Activity and Reflection
What’s a truth you stand by?
The more I prioritize myself and my needs, the more I’m able to identify what truths I stand by in order to create the life I want for myself in recovery. My main truth is to always believe and pay attention to what my body and intuition is telling me, especially when I’m uncomfortable or I’m reaching a limit.
What about you?
You can also find this prompt here in the Let’s Talk Depression group on The Mighty!
SparklyWarTanks 