Tag: accomplishments

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

An Important Day, I’m Proud of Myself! 🥳

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

I’ve been a volunteer with NAMI-NYC for a little over six years, and during that time, I’ve served as a young adult presenter for the Ending the Silence program. Yesterday, October 16, was my first full day as the lead presenter, and I was really anxious and nervous about it. I wasn’t sure if I’d do a good job, but I did it — all on my own too!

One thing about me is that, despite my anxiety, I always give my best. I’m proud of myself and grateful for the feedback I received. I’m excited to continue educating and sharing my story in community spaces, schools, and psych wards all around the city!

🗓️📌 Marking this day on my SparklyWarTanks calendar because it means a lot to me.

Posted in Mental Health, Other Accomplishments

Yay Me! I’ve Become a NAMI-NYC In Our Own Voice Trainer

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Life update: I was brave and did something great last weekend! ☺️

It was an honor to become a NAMI-NYC In Our Own Voice trainer and train a group of awesome new presenters who will join me in continuing to share our stories to talk openly about mental health and mental health conditions in our communities.

🏆 100000000 accomplishment points for me for challenging myself and prioritizing my purpose work. 😁

Posted in Mental Health, Other Accomplishments

My Latest Accomplishment: I’m Certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid!

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

I’m excited to share that I’m a certified youth mental health first aider. Getting help can be tough but starting the conversation and connecting to helpful resources doesn’t have to be done all on your own. I know I could have used a bit more support and a helping hand when I was in school, now I want to be that person for young people who may be facing challenges 💌.

Posted in Mental Health, Other Accomplishments, The Mighty

Be There Certificate!

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

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 Confessions, Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Love, Mental Health, Potential and Worth, Power, Reflection, Self-Care, Self-Talk

#IAM

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

If I were to tell you that the lists of things you’ve done, the relationships you have, or the job titles you’ve held don’t make you who you are, would you believe me?
If I were to tell you that you are whole just because, would you think I’m wrong?No matter what we do or who we think we have to become we are fundamentally valuable and worth living every single day. It doesn’t matter how much we get done, or how much we’ve been through, every day we wake up we hold the power of our value and worth and that never changes.”I am” despite of anything that follows that statement.

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

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

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, Potential and Worth, Power, Self-Care, Self-Talk

What are You Doing About it?: Approaching Limiting Beliefs and Moving Ahead

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Often times we find ourselves stuck and unable to move forward. Whether it’s a split second of confusion or longer amount of time, we grapple with obstacles both conscious and unconscious that are prohibiting us from achieving what we want.

How we approach those obstacles, however, will guide our next steps and will help us to be more proactive in who we want to become. Asking insightful questions and motivating ourselves to do better can help to push the change we want to see.

Self-doubt and Limiting Beliefs

When feeling unable or unfit to achieve a goal, we may already be telling ourselves we can’t achieve what we want. This may be in the form of procrastination, lack of motivation, negative self-talk, avoiding responsibilities and tasks, or constantly feeling discouraged/depressed when it comes to picking up new opportunities.

Because limiting beliefs are ingrained in how we think, its often difficult to identify them. To combat this issue in identifying how we are holding ourselves back, we must practice self-awareness and critical thinking. How are you really feeling? Who do you want to be?

Questions to Help Identify Limiting Beliefs/Fears

Here are 8 questions you can ask yourself if you feel stuck due to limiting beliefs or self-doubt and want to move forward:

  1. What do you want to achieve?
  2. How important is that goal to you?
  3. Do you have fears that might be stopping you from reaching your goal?
  4. How do the fears make you feel?
  5. Do you feel that the belief/fear is protecting you from pain?
  6. Are those beliefs and fears serving a purpose? Can you move on from them?
  7. How can you overcome those limiting beliefs and fears?
  8. What are new ways to think about your fears/limiting beliefs in order to progress?

Moving Forward with Affirmations and New Creations

Now that we are thinking about our limiting beliefs and goals we want to achieve, how do we change our mindset to wanting and striving to be more of who we want to be? Affirmations and new ideas are some ways we can get ourselves in a more workable mindset.

Here are some affirmations you can practice to get started:

  • I am good enough.
  • I am capable of achieving my goals.
  • I learn and grow from every opportunity.
  • Challenges I am faced with are great learning experiences.
  • I am worthy of new opportunities and I am where I need to be.

Changing how you see yourself in your current situation will help you to move ahead despite challenges and obstacles.

You can also build on those affirmations by creating something new. Writing a poem or article, drawing, creating your own blog, practicing arts and crafts, cooking can aid in feelings of accomplishment boosting your sense of self-worth.

The more confidence you build, the more active you will become in believing you can achieve what you want. Move and become active in your progress. Belief in yourself is the first step in achieving goals.

Become who you want to become. You are your biggest critic but can also be your biggest fan. Prove to yourself that you can.

Posted in Events, Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Mental Health, Potential and Worth, Power, Reflection, Self-Care, Self-Talk

“This is Me” Reflection: Self-Reflection is Powerful

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

To acknowledge, reflect, visualize, create, and share goals, aspirations, next steps, and working points are the backbone of improvement and progress. “This is Me” opened up a space of opportunity to understand not only who you are, but also what you want. To be able to pick images, quotes, letters, words and symbols that reveal and mirror what it is you want to accomplish takes strength and dedication.

The Event

Who am I?

Before building our vision boards, I came up with a small diagram to get everyone to think of different angles to approach the “who am I?” question. While this is the most complex question to ask yourself, visualizing different parts of your identity can help to jump into ideas about goals, achievements, feelings, strengths, limiting beliefs, toxic tendencies, memories, things you’ve learned, and where you want to go.

It’s not only useful to think up goals and how you want to get there but also asking yourself critical questions of ways to improve allows for a grounded and holistic approach to becoming who you want to be. Vision boards allow you to see yourself in all that is you. They show you the space to see past, present, and future possibilities while influencing and reminding you how to get there by reflecting on yourself.

While we tend to focus on one part of our identity, it’s helpful to dig into ourselves and all of our dimensions to answer questions only one part may not be able to answer. Focusing on our career and professional goals can be supplemented by our mental and spiritual strengths to place ourselves in work environments that fit us. What do we actually want? How can we improve and become better versions of ourselves by tapping into all of who we are? We are a complete being, therefore we must look at everything that makes us a whole.

The Boards

The more we looked at our identity’s focal points and where we were currently, the more we were able to grab images that mirrored how we wanted to approach our visions. I was excited to see how much work was put into visualizing the “who am I?” question. With only a limited amount of time, we were able to build and dive into ourselves to create works of art that symbolized us and what we wanted to accomplish next.

I’m extremely grateful for those who came out to “This is Me.” We answered big questions, reflected on who we wanted to be and where we want to go, while also being gentle and progressive with our progress.

Moving Forward

As I become more and more of myself every day, I see and appreciate how far I’ve come. Understanding and witnessing others in their goals, feelings, and aspirations helped me to see myself in mine. While I will always be a work in progress, I must also look at how much progress I’ve made. With all that I want to accomplish I get stuck in how much I need to do instead of appreciating the process.

I’ve learned to love and see myself as so much bigger than ever imagined. I say “I can” more and I’m excited to see where I go next. “This is Me” showed me to appreciate everything about my identity even the things I need to improve. I am me in everything that I am and will continue to work toward becoming more of myself.

Stay tuned for more events and reflections.

Posted in Declarations, Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Mental Health, Potential and Worth, Power, Self-Care, Self-Talk

#WriteItDown Declaration to Live by and Internalize: Something I Learned About Life in the Past 365 Days is…

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

@JacquelineWhitney_ posted this open-ended prompt on her Instagram story.

While debating whether to participate, respond, and complete this prompt, I thought about lessons I learned in the past year. What new perspective and positive self-talk do I want to continue and pursue during this year and after? I decided I wanted to continue on through the new year with confidence in my ability to believe in myself and my strength. Using ongoing active positive statements to lead in further progress, I’m able to achieve my goal of pursuing, believing, and working toward all I’m able to.

The word of the year is confidence.

Posted in Declarations, Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Love, Potential and Worth, Power, Self-Care, Self-Talk

#WriteItDown Declarations to Live By and Internalize: Control and Compassion

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

In moving on in self-awareness, I will move on to a new cycle of 2019 with learning and improving my control and compassion.

As I write I declare and affirm that I will be able to control the thoughts that may consume me and practice self-compassion. I may also make conscious and progressive decisions and reach the success I see for myself. I will take my time and do my best in my journey.

Self-love will lead my continued journey and I will find refuge in self-care as I’m working toward my goals.