Tag: journaling

Posted in Mental Health, Reflection, Self-Talk

Free Write Journal Entry: 10/12/23

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Sometimes I look at myself and get lost in my thoughts. I think about all that’s happened up to this point. I think about the decisions I’ve made and what “success” looks like for me. I wonder about experiences I wish I would have and the possibility of them happening. I rummage in my body looking for unfamiliar feelings and accessing them more regularly. Hope is one of those feelings. I imagine myself thriving in hope. As I push forward, I sit with my fear and allow it to pass through, it’s a part of me, too. I’m gentle with myself and I’m learning to go slow as I let go of control.

I’m deserving of good things and love, of life showering me with experiences that fill me with happiness. I’m allowed to be a person, to make mistakes, and to move on from them. I’m doing a good job. There’s no timeline I have to be on. There’s no one in front of me or behind me. It’s just me experiencing this reality. I can let go of all my expectations to be anything more than what I am right now.

I’m where I need to be in the body that’s mine. I’m who I need to be in order to be successful. I’m enough and nothing can change this fact.

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

Pencil Case Journaling Prompts: Self-Talk

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity Prompt

What words would you like to use more of when talking about (or to) yourself?

My Reflection

In the early days of my recovery journey, the first thing a counselor said to me was, “Do you realize how you speak to yourself? Would you speak to someone you love the same way you speak to yourself?” Let’s just say my answer was an automatic “no.” This sparked a change in my perspective and from that point on, I became more aware of my inner dialogue and the words I use to communicate with myself.

Since then, the words I make sure I use in my “self-care and self-love dialogue” are “I deserve…” “I’m allowed to…” and “help.” I’m learning to be more kind to myself.

What about you? What words would you like to use more of?

You can also find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!

Posted in Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Self-Care, Self-Talk, The Mighty

More April Writing Prompts and Reflections: Finding Your Happy Place and Lesson Learning

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity

What does your “happy place” look like?

If someone told you to mentally visualize a “calm and happy place” in your mind, what would that place look like?

One of the practices that’s helps me over the years — especially in times of overwhelm, or even when I started practicing mindfulness — is visualization. When I want to create a safe space for myself, it’s been helpful for me to mentally craft what that place would look like in my mind.

My Reflection

My “calm and happy place” is walking through a nice green field with flowers on a sunny day. In the distance I can see a stream and a large tree where butterflies are slowly fluttering around.

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

Activity

What’s a lesson you’re learning this year?

My Reflection

This year has been a doozy for me in terms of learning lessons and considering/prioritizing my needs. Sometimes it would be great to just get a break 😅.

A lesson I’m learning so far in 2023 is that it’s OK to put myself first even when I feel guilty, this includes asking for help or standing up for myself and staying true to my boundaries.

What are you learning these days?

You can also check out this prompt in the Chat Space group on The Mighty here!

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

Pencil Case Journaling Prompts: Finish the Sentence and Mental Health Goals

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity

Finish this sentence: I’m proud of myself for ________________.

Let’s cheer one another on today! What are you proud of yourself for right now?

My Reflection

I’ll go first!

I’m proud of myself for continuing to push through, completing my daily tasks, and working on my personal projects. I’ve been struggling a lot with my mental health these past few weeks, but I’ve still been able to get my work done and make it to this moment right now 🌸. 

You can also find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!

Activity

What’s a collection of words or phrases that represent your mental health goals for this month?

As we keeping marching on through the month of April, let’s make a list of words that represent the mental health-minded goals we have for ourselves.

My Reflection

🌈 Here is my collection of words:

Resilience
Self-reflection
Standing up for myself
Realizing my needs
Conversations
Sunlight
Love
Challenging my bad habits
Consistency
Practice
New perspectives

What’s on your list?

You can also find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!

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 Creative Writing, Mental Health, Self-Care, Self-Talk, The Mighty

Creative Writing: Escaping the Fangs of the Night

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Creative Journaling Prompt: Write a free verse poem describing a time when you overcame an obstacle.

Here is my poem: 

The night, a slithering snake. 
Long enough to devour my consciousness. 
I didn’t know how to escape the clutches of its fangs. 
Wondering if I would ever escape its scales. One scale already a month’s worth of traveling. Sleepless. 
Would I ever see the day where the snake, Insom, slithers away. 

I concentrate. Focus. Sit where Insom rests in the subconscious realm. 
I catch her and lock her away for a night. 

I can finally rest and step into another realm where I’m free. 
I can see the sun again. 
The brightness hurts my eyes. 

You can also find this prompt here in the Mighty Poets 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

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, Potential and Worth, Self-Care, Self-Talk, The Mighty

It’s World Mental Health Day! Pick a leaf 🍁☘️🌱

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Activity

In honor of World Mental Health Day let’s reflect and share our experiences, perspectives, and goals!

Pick a leaf and follow the prompt that goes with that leaf:

1. 🍁 Share a mental health victory you’ve had this year.

2. 🌱 Write a list of three ways you can prioritize your mental health this week.

3. ☘️ Finish this sentence: My mental health is important because
____________________.

My Reflection


I choose all three leaves today ☺️

🍁: This year I continued therapy and grew so much in self-love!

🌱: Three ways I can prioritize my mental health is by getting enough sleep (8-9 hours), eating breakfast every day, and writing in my journal to manage my overthinking.

☘️: My mental health is important because I deserve to feel at peace within myself and feel proud of how far I’ve come on my journey.

You can also find this prompt on The Mighty here.

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

Pencil Case Prompts: Pick a Flower

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Choose a flower and follow the prompt that goes with each flower.
Purple and Green: What are 5 goals you would like to set this week?
Pink and Yellow: What is your favorite method of self-care? Why?
Orange and Yellow: Name 15 positive traits about yourself.
Note: Feel free to choose as many flowers as you would like.

My Reflection

I choose the purple and green flower.

5 goals I would like to set this week are:
1. Set aside 1 hour every day to self-care and relax.
2. Finish 2 of the mood trackers I’ve been working on.
3. Finish my article on Tuesday.
4. Go to bed before 2 am.
5. Finish the 2nd test for my certification.

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