A major lesson I’ve learned this year is that I have the capacity to unconditionally love; myself and others. The pain that comes with realizing that others don’t always feel the same love for me has been really painful yet transformative, however. I realized that everyone’s on a different journey and have different experiences that don’t always include me, but that’s OK, I still want to continue to practice unconditional love even if that’s from a distance. Everyone deserves to be loved and receive love in return despite that discrepancy.
Affirmation: I am love. No matter how others feel about me, it’s still OK for me to love myself and spread love to others.
For those celebrating a holiday today or going to celebrate a holiday soon, stay safe and enjoy 💝.
I know it’s been a really rough couple of weeks and you feel alone, exhausted, burnt out, and the depression is feeling heavier than usual. I know your thoughts have been racing and you’re wondering if things will get better. I know you’ve been yearning for something you think is impossible to experience, but I want you to know that you’re doing the best you can and it’s OK not to feel OK right now. It’s OK to feel negative emotions sometimes. I want you to know that I’m proud of you. You’ve accomplished so much and you’re worthy of all the happiness and love in the world. You are not void of new experiences and opportunities and this is definitely not the end-all for you. You are so much more and have so much to offer this world. You are amazing, beautiful, and talented beyond measure. I love you so much. We’ll get through this together. You deserve to be celebrated.
Love, SparklyWarTanks
You can also find this prompt https in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!
What is something you believed as a child that you learned was untrue as an adult?
Reflection
I’ll go first!
For some reason when I was kid, I thought that my parents didn’t sleep and watched over me while I slept instead. I also thought that everyone had similar lives and were like me. Since I was highly sensitive I thought everyone got overstimulated sometimes and needed extra alone time. I soon found out these things were indeed NOT true when I got older 😅.
What about you? What misconceptions did you have growing up?
You can also find this prompt in the Chat Space group on The Mighty here.
What’s an important experience you’ve had this year?
As we head into the home stretch of 2022, let’s reflect on something important that we’ve experienced thus far. It can be an experience you’ve learned from or an event/moment that’s impacted you positively or negatively.
My Reflection
I’ll go first! An important experience I’ve had this year was getting closer to my mom and building a safe relationship with her.
Check out this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty.
Activity
Make a list of three words or phrases describing your goals for the end of the year.
My Reflection
My three phrases are:
1. Content with my progress. 2. Calm and at peace with myself. 3. Organized and ready to take on another year.
What words are on your list? 🙂🌟
Check out this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty.
Activity
Write a reminder list to guide you through the week ahead.
Let’s prepare for the week ✍️.
Either in your own journal or in the comments below, write a reminder list of important things you want to remember or accomplish this week.
My Reflection
Here is my list:
Therapy
ETS Presentation with NAMI-NYC
Food Shopping
Paying the bills.
Mighty work
Sparkly work and projects
Check out this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty.
How was this week for everyone? Any highlights, challenges, or victories you would like to share?
My Reflection
My week was OK. I’m proud of myself for getting all of my work done! I’m struggling with insomnia again, though 😩. I’m currently powering through the tiredness and ruminating thoughts.
What about you? Feel free to share in the comments below 💌
You can find this post in The Pencil Case on The Mighty here.
Activity
In the comments below, in your own Pencil Case post, or in a personal journal take a minute or two to just write ✏️. You can write about what’s been frustrating or challenging for you recently, something that you’re proud of yourself for accomplishing, a goal that you have, a poem that you wrote or something that you created, perhaps even a word of encouragement or what’s been helping to keep you inspired or motivated.
My Reflection
Here’s my free write!
Today I want to share about what I’m working on in terms of my growth and progress. I went to therapy recently and realized I have such a hard time being proud of myself and not rationalizing my achievements as expectation. My goal for the rest of the year is to look at my accomplishments as wins no matter how “big” or “small” and allow myself to feel good when I do something great. I deserve to feel good.
You can find this post in The Pencil Case on The Mighty here.
What’s a challenge you’ve worked extra hard to overcome?
Let’s share our victories together today!
Is there a challenge you’ve been faced with that’s taken a bit more effort and consistency to work through or overcome? What has that challenge been like for you? Has the challenge taught you anything thus far?
My Reflection
For me, my biggest challenge was learning how to love myself and put my needs first. It’s taken so much work on my part, and I’m still working on it, but I’ve made so much progress in the past three years! I’m so proud of myself 🌻.
What about you?
**Find this post here in The Pencil Case on TheMighty.com
Activity
A 3 Step Mindful Moment: Gratitude and Intentions
When you come across this message take these three mindful steps:
Step 1: Pause ⏸️ what you are doing and take three deep breaths. Count for three seconds as you inhale and three seconds as you exhale.
Step 2: List two people, places, things or ideas you are grateful for.
Step 3: Set one positive intention for the rest of your day.
Note: Feel free to share your gratitude list and intention for the day in the comments below if you would like 🌟🙂.
My Reflection
Here is my gratitude list and intention for the day:
I am grateful for my bed and food to eat when I’m hungry.
My intention for today is to go slow and listen to my body as I navigate high anxiety.
My affirmation: I am allowed to take my time. There is no rush for me to get through the day.
**Find this post here in The Pencil Case on TheMighty.com
So very excited to announce the NAMI-NYC Expressive Arts workshop event I will be hosting at the end of the month! This event will be via Zoom and on the NAMI-NYC website. You can find the link in the flyer here. On the day of the event click the Expressive Arts Zoom link for July 30th.
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 Me and My Self-Care
Description “Me and My Self-Care” is a creative and fun event focused on reflecting about self-care, love and what “home” feels like to us. Starting with an ice breaker, we will sketch an image and write about our favorite type of self-care. The main activity will then be to pick one of two activities. The first activity will be to draw a self-care toolbox with a list of your favorite and most helpful self-care practices and the second activity will be to write a poem describing what “home” feels like to you and what it’s like for you to experience love, support and acceptance. Lastly, we will close by sharing our works of art.
Materials Paper, writing utensils (pen, pencil, markers, or crayons).
Hope to see you there!
**Sneak peek for my NAMI-NYC event activity.
Activity
What does “home” feel like to you?
If you wanted describe what “home” feels like to you, what words would you use? Does the feeling have a color, an experience, or remind you of a person? Is home a place or an idea?
My Reflection
For me, home is when I feel at peace and when I’m calm. Home is when I’m with my family and friends and I feel safe. Home is when I fully accept myself for who I am. Home is in the present moment.
What about you?
Find this activity in the Self-Care Lounge group on The Mighty here as well.
Choose a heart and follow the prompt that goes with that heart 🧡💛❤️.
❤️: Finish this sentence: I show up for myself by __________.
💛: What are three things you are grateful for this week?
🧡: Write a thank you note to something or someone that’s had a positive impact on your mental health.
My Reflection
I’ll go first! I’ll challenge myself and do all three 😁.
❤️: I show up for myself by knowing my limits and doing what’s best for me even if that means saying no to others.
💛: Three things I am grateful for this week are my dog who lifts my spirits everytime I leave my bedroom, my mom who continues to support me, and my comfy bed where I rest.
🧡: Thank you Kat, Ben and Carla from The Mighty team that continues to support, encourage, and help me to do my best work!
Your turn! Pick a heart ❤️💛🧡.
If you’re up to it, feel free to share in the comments below 💌
You can find this prompt and reflection activity in the Let’s Talk Depression group here on The Mighty. Feel free to join the conversation!
Do you have a hobby or skill you do really well and makes you feel good? What about a habit that you do well because it’s what you’re used to but want to change?
Note: If you want to change a habit, what is something you want to do instead and think will align more with your needs and goals?
Friendly Reminder: It’s okay if you do something well but also realize that there’s room to grow and improve.
My Reflection
I’ll go first! I’m really good at writing and creating worksheets and community building activities.
AND
I’m also good at getting my personal projects done but find myself procrastinating and leaving them for the last minute. I’m working on balancing my schedule to include my personal projects along with my daily work.
Join the conversation here in The Pencil Case on TheMighty.com
SparklyWarTanks 