Tag: Mental Health

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

What are your hopes for the end of 2025?

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

What are your hopes for the end of 2025?

This year has felt like the longest yet shortest one ever. There have been so many ups, downs, uncertainties, moments of clarity, and uncomfortable changes, but also steady progress nonetheless.

When the year began, I didn’t know what to expect, and honestly, my hopes were few. But as 2025 comes to a close, I’m ending it with hopes for more confidence and compassion toward myself. I want to create more space for love and connection. I want to be more patient and continue to redefine what success and growth mean to me.

I hope to stay grounded and present, more aware of what’s happening around me. I want to embrace empathy, giving others space to use their voices too. And I want to experience more peace because I deserve it.

What hopes do you have as the year closes? What goals do you want to reach, experiences do you want to have, or things will you make time for?

You can also find this post on The Pencil Case on The Mighty here.

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 Events, Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Mental Health, Self-Care

NAMI-NYC Virtual Expressive Arts Workshop Event: The Lighthouse

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. 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 August 30, 2025.

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:
The Lighthouse

Description:
“The Lighthouse” is a creative and reflective event where we’ll use drawing and writing to explore our mental health and recovery.

We’ll start with a short icebreaker: sketching an image and writing about how our summer has been so far.

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

1. Draw a stormy ocean with a tall lighthouse, and fill the image with free-writing phrases or notes about how you’re navigating recovery and your mental health.

2. Write a poem about a time when you pushed through a difficult moment, or about an “aha” moment that shifted your perspective this year.

3. Create a T-chart with one side titled “I’m proud of myself because…” and the other titled “I’m working on / I want to become better at…”.

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 Confessions, Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Love, Reflection, Self-Talk, The Mighty

A Message to My Inner Teen

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Write a message to your teenage self about a lesson or truth you’ve learned that you didn’t know back then.

Something I find helpful for understanding the shame and grief I carry is writing messages, notes, and letters to my younger self — whether that’s my inner child or my inner teen. These are parts of me that endured so much and didn’t know how to cope with those intense experiences at the time.

Lately, I’ve been connecting with my inner teenager and allowing her to finally feel everything she wasn’t allowed to back then. I’ve noticed how angry, crushed, and betrayed she still feels from all the things she wished she could experience but couldn’t, and how much she wasn’t able to process or release because she didn’t understand what was happening.

Here is my message to her today:

Dear teen Nina,

It’s OK to feel every emotion coming up right now — anger, resentment, shame, frustration, betrayal. I know those feelings are scary for you. You don’t have to perform anymore or try to be perfect for everyone around you. It’s OK to make mistakes; that doesn’t make you a bad person. You deserve to be loved and accepted every day without having to do anything to earn it. You can move slowly and take your time — no one is pressuring you anymore. You are free to be your wonderful and beautiful self.

Oh, and one more thing: other people’s suffering or struggles are not your fault. You are not responsible for their emotions or reactions.

I love you, and I’m here whenever you need me.

— Adult Nina (sparklywartanks)

Also find this prompt in the No Shame group on The Mighty here.

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

Been putting anything off? Write a note with me!

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Write a note to yourself about something important you’ve been putting off.🗒️

I’ve been in my head a lot lately especially since I haven’t been able to see my therapist for about a month while she’s on medical leave. One important thing I’ve been putting off is keeping track of the things I want to talk to her about once we’re able to meet again.

📝 My note to myself: Set aside time this week and next week to write a list in my journal of all the thoughts and experiences I’ve had over the past month that I want to reflect on.

What’s something important you want to write a quick note about, so you don’t forget to come back to it?

Also find this prompt in The Pencil Case on The Mighty here.

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, Mental Health, Self-Care

NAMI-NYC Virtual Expressive Arts Workshop Event: Rest, Relax, and Breathe

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 the Expressive Arts workshop on March 29, 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 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:
Rest, Relax, and Breathe

Description:
“Rest, Relax, and Breathe” is a creative and reflective event where we will draw and write about how to better connect with ourselves.

We will begin with a short icebreaker, setting aside three minutes to practice deep breathing together, followed by seven minutes of free writing or doodling.

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

1. Choose a shape and create a series of patterns using that shape. Around your drawing, write words, phrases, or quotes that reflect your thoughts as you create.

2. Draw a T-chart. On one side, list the habits, hobbies, and resources you currently use to support your mental health. On the other side, list the helpful habits, hobbies, and resources you’d like to explore.

3. Write a poem or journal entry describing calmness.

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 Events, Mental Health, Self-Care

NAMI-NYC Virtual Expressive Arts Workshop Event: A Journey of Intentions

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 January 25, 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:
A Journey of Intentions

Description:
“A Journey of Intentions” is a creative and reflective event where we will explore how we’re feeling and set intentions for the coming year.

The event will begin with an icebreaker: sketching an image and free-writing about three things that matter most to us right now.

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

1. Draw a vision board centered around your word or phrase of the year. Include images, reminders, and ideas that reflect and embody its meaning.

2. Write a lyric or free verse poem about the experiences you wish to have or the things you want to explore and learn in 2025.

3. Create a series of personal notes where you reflect on your values, what’s important to you, habits that benefit you, and what you will let go of this year.

We will conclude by sharing our creations.

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!

🚨Update: NAMI-NYC will no longer be hosting this Expressive Arts workshop. Saturday August 30, 2025 was the last Expressive Arts. Thank you to anyone who’s attended over the years. I love you and hope to reconnect in the future.

Posted in Mental Health, Self-Care, The Pencil Case on The Mighty

New Friends and a Pencil Case Prompt for You. 🙂

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks
Look at the new friends I got!!

Ah, a tiny shark! What’s one act of kindness you can show yourself today?

I received this tiny shark as a gift, and the first thing I thought when my brother gave it to me was, “I have to show my Mighty/Sparkly fam!” It’s so small, adorable, and also encouraging. 😩

In the spirit of my tiny shark friend, let’s share one act of kindness we can show ourselves today.

I’ll go first!
One act of kindness I can show myself today is spending some time writing on my blog (me writing this on my blog right now haha) after I finish my work and sharing other thoughtful gifts I’ve received that made me smile.

Also find this prompt in The Pencil Case on The Mighty here.