Category: Reflection

Posted in Mental Health, Reflection, The Mighty, The Pencil Case on The Mighty

Reflections, Activities, and Updates: Mindfulness, Breaks, and Having Fun

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Here’s a 2-step mindful moment for your day!

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!

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

Pencil Case Reflection Prompts: Exploring What “Healthy” Means and Things To Look Forward To

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity

What does “healthy” look like for you?

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!

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

Journaling Prompts: Meditation, Passions, Imagery, and Poetry

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity

What are your thoughts on meditation?

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 here in 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!

Posted in Reflection, Self-Care, Self-Talk, The Mighty

Journaling, Reflections, and Realizations: Pressing Forward

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity

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!

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 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, 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. 

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

#CheckInWithMe: Pick a Light 💡🕯️

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity

Pick a Light💡🕯️

Let’s lift each other up today! Choose a light and follow the prompt that goes with it.

🕯️: What’s a helpful (and practical) piece of advice you’ve been given in the past?

💡: What helps you to stay grounded and continue moving forward?

My Reflection

This advice kind of answers both questions 🕯️💡. I remember my ninth grade English teacher telling me once that when reading a book, stop looking at how much you have left to read and just focus on the page you’re on. This stuck with me because it helps me check in on myself and focus/ground my energy on right now. It’s often easy for me to want to know what’s going to happen next, so only prioritizing on today calms my anxiety and allows me to let go of future expectations.

You can also find this prompt here in the Check In With Me group on The Mighty!