Category: The Pencil Case on The Mighty

Posted in Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Reflection, The Mighty, The Pencil Case on The Mighty

Pencil Case Prompts: If You Made an Album and Called it 2020…

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

If you made a 10 track album and called it “2020” what would you name the 10 songs in your album?
Note: The song titles can reflect what you’ve learned, your struggles, a memory, how you were feeling, etc. Feel free to be creative!
___________________
My 2020 Album Song titles would be:
1. Broken Anxiety
2. PDD and PTSD
3. Revelation
4. Letters to Peace
5. Power in Distance
6. Changes
7. Who is she?
8. Boundaries
9. Gone With The People-Pleasing
10. Should I Care?

Join the conversation here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!

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

Pencil Case Prompts: Gratefulness Challenge!

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Make a list of 10 people, places, things, or ideas you are grateful for.

Note: Feel free to be creative, reflective, and thoughtful.

What helps you to feel calm?
What do you look forward to?
Who is important to you?
What ideas help you to keep going?
What places help you feel relaxed or safe?

I’m grateful for:
1. Moments of peace and clarity.
2. My family and friends.
3. My pillows.
4. Creativity!
5. My therapist and doctors.
6. Kind-hearted and authentic people.
7. Healing and letting go.
8. Growth.
9. Writing.
10. My bedroom.

Join the conversation here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!

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

Pencil Case Prompts: Ever Thought of Writing a Book?

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

If you ever wrote a book what would that book be about? (If you already wrote a book, do you want to write another one?)
-What genre would the book be in?
– Are there characters in your book? Who would the main character be?
-Would your book have a lesson?
Let me know in the comments below or feel free to journal about this prompt!
If I ever wrote a book it would be nonfiction and a mixture of my creative and reflective writing.

Join the conversation here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty.

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

Pencil Case Prompts: What will you NOT do this week?

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Sometimes prioritizing self-care means not engaging, participating, encouraging, or taking part in something. What will you not be doing this week?
Let me know in the comments below!

For me, I will not:

1. Encourage negative thoughts.
2. Procrastinate in finishing my certification.
3. Continue to speak down on myself.
4. Push myself when I feel exhausted and need a break.

Join the conversation here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty.

Posted in Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Potential and Worth, Power, Self-Care, The Mighty, The Pencil Case on The Mighty

Pencil Case Prompts Discussion Topic: Creativity

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

1. What does creativity mean to you?

2. How have you incorporated creativity into your daily/weekly schedule?

3. When you hear the word “create” what thoughts come to your mind?

4. How do you stay motivated in your creative process?

5. If you have a condition, does your condition affect how you express your creativity?

Drop what you think of creativity in the comments below.

Join the conversation here on The Mighty!

Posted in Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Potential and Worth, Power, Self-Care, Self-Talk, The Mighty, The Pencil Case on The Mighty

For Those Who Know What It’s Like Living with an “Invisible Illness”: Mighty Analogies

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

“One of the toughest challenges I face living with an invisible illness is explaining to others what it’s like to be in my head. From the long anxious nights fighting insomnia to struggling to find the motivation to get out of bed most mornings, one of the only ways I’m able to explain what it’s like to grapple with my persistent depression is by using analogies.

Analogies help me to be both creative and descriptive as I paint a mental image of my experiences. The most recent analogy I’ve used to explain my depression to my therapist is the most spot-on, especially since this year has been my toughest one yet.

My analogy goes a little like this: Living with persistent depressive disorder is like a series of dark tunnels in my mind. There are no lights at the end of any of these tunnels. Instead, the lights are in small pockets underneath street lamps surrounded by fireflies. These fireflies represent strength, reassurance, and growth. And although they aren’t everlasting, I can use what I’ve learned from them while I continue to crawl along in my dark tunnel.

I’m proud to know my toolbox is filled with everything I’ve learned in the light, but that doesn’t make my darkness end — I face that reality every day. But with that knowledge, I can keep going because I know I’ll soon reach another bright pocket.

Reminder:

If you ever find yourself in your own dark tunnel, it’s OK to rest and take a peek inside your self-care toolbox. You are not alone and the darkness doesn’t always last forever.”

Have you ever used an analogy to describe what it’s like living with an invisible illness? Join the conversation here on The Pencil Case.

This activity was featured in The Mighty #CheckInWithMe newsletter which you can subscribe to on the TheMighty.com or Mighty app.

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

#CheckInWithMe in The Pencil Case: Positivity, Snacks, and Self-Care

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Comment below what snack represents what type of positivity and power boost you need this week from your self-care menu.

  1. Bravery Cupcake
  2. Cookies of Courage
  3. Fortune Cookie of Peace.
  4. Freshly Picked Fruit Basket of Support.
  5. Patient Chocolate Bar.
  6. Energy Flavored Ice Cream.
  7. Rainbow Candies of Rest.
  8. Confidence Boost Milkshake.
Feel free to choose as many snacks as you want!
I am in need of a fortune cookie of peace, energy flavored ice cream, and rainbow candies of rest.
Affirmation: I am powerful and use positivity to help me move forward.

Find this Check-In here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty.

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

#CheckInWithMe in The Pencil Case: Weekly Goals and Backpack Supplies

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Comment below what backpack item represents your goal for this week:
Calculator– Working and getting things done
Pencil– Writing and reflecting
Ruler– Asking for help and working on prioritizing your needs
Notebooks– Being Creative
Water bottle– Resting and taking a break
Eraser– Other [Add your own goal!]
Feel free to choose more than one item/goal, too!
I’m taking notebooks and a calculator out of my backpack this week.
Reminder: You are good enough and capable of achieving everything you set your mind to.

Find this Check-in here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty.
Posted in Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Potential and Worth, Reflection, Self-Care, Self-Talk, The Mighty, The Pencil Case on The Mighty

#CheckInWithMe in The Pencil Case: How Is This Week Going?

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

What color drink describes how this week is going for you?
Comment with the color drink that describes how this week is going so far:
Blue- Great!
White- Good.
Yellow- Okay, I guess.
Purple- Ehh
Gray- Not so great.
Pink- It was challenging, would like support.
Reminder: You are doing the best you can and that is always good enough.

Find this Check-in here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty.


Pick a self-kindness affirmation card to accompany you through the rest of the week:

1. I am enough.
2. I give myself permission to rest.
3. I give myself space to learn and grow.
4. It’s okay for me to ask for help.
5. My worth is not dependent on how much I get done.
6. I honor my needs by resting when my body tells me to.

Feel free to add your own affirmation!

Find this Check-in here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty
Posted in Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Potential and Worth, Power, Quotes, Reflection, Self-Care, Self-Talk, The Mighty, The Pencil Case on The Mighty

The Pencil Case: Are you Highly Sensitive, too?

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

My Story

Sometimes the world around me is a lot to process — noises are too loud, lights too bright and my thoughts often fall down a never-ending spiral. I care deeply for the people around me and wish I could do more. It’s like I’m an emotional sponge.

I’m no stranger to feeling overwhelmed and I catch myself retreating in order to feel better again. I regain my energy with creativity and love to reflect so I can better understand myself and others. My brain likes looking at the bigger picture but does so through subtleties. I see patterns and small details and my favorite questions are “why?” and “how?”

However, being highly sensitive has made me susceptible to scrutiny and criticism. I’m often “too much” or “too deep” for the liking of some people. I remember once being told, “You make things too difficult and complex and would benefit from being more simple.” That isn’t who I am though, and I shouldn’t be ashamed of how sensitive I am. It’s taken me some time to fully understand and accept my emotional nature and to perceive it as an ability instead of a burden.

While feeling deeply is no walk in the park, I am proud of how far I’ve come in my journey of self-love. But I know I still have so much more to learn. If you are a highly sensitive person like me, know that you are not alone. No matter what, you are not “too much” and I’m happy to walk this journey with you..

What are your experiences like as a highly sensitive person?

Can You Relate? Let’s Reflect!

To my highly sensitive people, we are in this together.
No matter what, you are not “too much” and I’m happy to walk this sensitivity journey with you. If you find yourself overwhelmed or overstimulated check out these reflective guided questions, they’ve helped me navigate my sensitivities:
  • How are you feeling?
  • Do you feel overwhelmed, anxious, frustrated, or overstimulated? Where and when do you feel this way?
  • Are you overextending your energy?
  • When was the last time you took a break?
  • Do you need time alone?
  • What places help you feel safe?
  • What are your triggers and how can you manage them?
  • What is in your control?
  • What are your needs? How can you prioritize your needs better?
  • What are your limits? What are you okay/not okay with?
  • Do you need to write down your thoughts or talk them out?
  • Who can you ask for help?

Join this conversation here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty, or comment on this post!