Tag: community building

Posted in Events, Mental Health, Self-Care, Self-Talk

NAMI-NYC Virtual Expressive Arts Workshop Event: Coming Back to Self

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

So very excited to announce the NAMI-NYC Expressive Arts workshop event I will be hosting this Saturday! This event will be via Zoom and on the NAMI-NYC website. You can find the link here. Click the Expressive Arts Zoom link for May 31, 2025.

IMPORTANT: This Expressive Arts workshop and the ones following this one are from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm!

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to send me a DM or 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:
Coming Back to Self

Description:
“Coming Back to Self” is a creative and reflective event where we will draw and write to describe ourselves and where we are in our personal journey.

We’ll begin with a short icebreaker: choosing a word from a provided list, sketching an image inspired by that word, and writing about why it resonates with us.

The main activity will then be choosing one of four options:

1. Sketch an image of a large tree and describe yourself using ten words written around the tree.

2. Draw a series of images that represent what safety looks and feels like to you. What images symbolize safety? Where do you go to feel safe? Who do you talk to?

3. Create a list of resources, helplines, people, or places you can turn to when you need support.

4. Write a letter or poem to your younger or current self, sharing three reasons why you are proud of yourself right now.

Materials:
Paper, writing utensils (pen, pencil, markers, or crayons).

Schedule
2:00 – 2:20: Introductions and Ice breaker
2:20 – 3:00: Main Activity
3:00 – 3:30: Sharing and Closing

Hope to see you there!

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 Events, Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Potential and Worth

NAMI-NYC Virtual Expressive Arts Event: My Goals and Agreements

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

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 by typing in the link in the flyer here and clicking the Expressive Arts Zoom link for January 29th, 2022.If you have any questions or concerns feel free to send me a DM or 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 My Goals and Agreements 

Description “My Goals and Agreements” is a creative and fun event focused on reflecting on ourselves, our goals, and what we see for our year ahead. Starting with an ice breaker, we will sketch an image and write about an accomplishment we are proud of ourselves for achieving. The main activity will then be to trace around our hand and next to each finger write either a goal we want to set, an agreement we want to make with ourselves or an affirmation/mantra we want to remember this year.  Lastly, we will close by sharing our works of art.

Materials Paper, writing utensils (pen, pencil, markers, or crayons).

Hope to see you there!

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

New Event! All I Can be is Me

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Another event in 2 weeks! This one is extra special to me!

Description: SparklyWarTanks and NAMI NYC will be working together to host “All I Can Be is Me” as part of NAMI NYC’s expressive arts creative events! And, guess what?! I’m working with The Mighty for this event too! “All I Can Be is Me” is a creative confidence-building and goal setting event where we will reflect, build community and have fun! As we utilize positive character traits to affirm and manifest within ourselves, we will also set goals and plant a seed of power and motivation to continue to be the amazing people we are.

Details:

Date: February 29th, 2020
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Event Space: NAMI NYC Metro
Address: 505 8th Ave, New York, New York, 10018 Suite 1103

If you’re in New York and would like to attend let me know on the Facebook event page.

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

A Mighty Mindfulness Exercise: Pause

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Ever wanted a moment to yourself? Ever wished you could push a “pause” button on life when you feel overwhelmed? I can relate!

I’ve recently learned a mindfulness technique that can help when you feel overcome by negative thinking. Instead of spiraling into a tough place mentally, pause. Mindfulness techniques such as this can help to build self-awareness as well as practice the art of acknowledging without spiraling.

Here are four steps you can take:

#1: Once you witness a negative thought entering your mind, pause. Say it out loud if necessary. Interrupt the thought.

#2: Acknowledge the thought. Notice why you’re thinking it.

#3: Take a deep breath.

#4: Witness the thought as just a thought and let it pass. Do not give in or allow it to shift your perspective.

The idea is to learn how to “pause” at the moment a negative thought is introduced and build mindfulness around self-care and self-awareness. Whether it’s saying “pause” out loud or manifesting a pause in our actions, the act of pausing teaches us to manage our thoughts in hopes of creating a more workable outlook on our lives and experiences.

What’s one thought you can pause today?

“Pause” is an activity/graphic I’ve created for The Mighty!

You can see the community engagement post here.

You can also find this graphic as a sticker in my shop!

Posted in Events, Mental Health, Potential and Worth, Power, Reflection, Self-Care

“Storytime” Reflection: To Transform and Grow Means to Reflect and Change

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

What does it mean to reflect, grow, transform and in return become a better, more grounded empathetic product of your experiences and trauma?

“Storytime” allowed me to not only reflect on my past transformations and continuous growth but also listen to true stories of warriors. There were survivor stories, growth stories, pain stories, reflective stories, and stories that showed true perseverance. I applaud and thank those who attended this event. Although the group was small, it still contained voices that spoke with courage and bravery. This group of people was no doubt a group of heroes.

As I too am going through a time of painful transformation and reflection, I can’t help but look up to those who attended and shared at “Storytime.” I think about their stories daily in order to help me make brave choices that allow me to see my worth.

The Theme: The Tree and the Butterfly

When planning and organizing “Storytime”, I wanted to create a space where others can bring an artifact to represent or supplement a moment in their mental health journey that symbolized growth or transformation. What does it mean to grow and transform through mental trauma?

The tree or symbol of growth and the butterfly or symbol of transformation became fit in becoming the theme of “Storytime”. To transform is to move past a prior state and into a more comfortable, enlightened state and to grow means to change, adjust, and become better in whichever ways fit your life and experiences.

In order to be able to reflect on your experiences and become better and more comfortable in yourself, you must first open your perspective. Allow yourself to move past the pain and complacency of heartache and struggle.

I learned in ” Storytime” that speaking out loud and speaking confidently as you share can help in understanding who you are in your experiences. Leading with a mindfulness breathing exercise also allowed a space where reflection became fit and vulnerability more accessible. Live only in the present moment.

Although the stories were stories of mental struggles through big experiences, my guests were products of growth and transformation. I’m proud to know that these people exist. They need to know constantly that they are worthy of life, love, compassion, and acceptance.

Final Thoughts

I thank The Mighty for opening up the door for me to do these events as well as helping me to learn my passion. I’m constantly learning as I experience with others. Continuously reflecting on the “Mighty Mic” and “Storytime” has opened my perspective and my heart to the lives of many.

I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Posted in Events, Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Mental Health

The Mighty and SparklyWarTanks Presents “Storytime”

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Time for round 2! I will be hosting my second Mighty and Sparkly event in New York City!

Description:

We all have a story to tell that needs to be heard. We have a voice that needs to speak.

Storytime is an open, creative, and safe space where we will tell our stories unafraid and unapologetically. As we open up and express what we’ve experienced in our mental health journey, we will reflect on our transformation and growth.

You will have 5 to 7 minutes each to pick an important moment or memory you have in your mental health journey. To supplement your individual storytime, you can bring an important artifact/healing tool (drawing, writing piece, notebook, sculpture, part of a song, creative creation, helpful website etc.) that has helped shaped that moment for you.
As you reflect, don’t forget to be gentle with your journey.

Details:

Date: February 17, 2019

Time: 12 pm – 3 pm

Address: 38-12 30th Street Long Island City Queens 11101

If you are interested or in New York send me a message, rsvp on The Mighty, or simply click “going” on the Facebook page.