Tag: motivation

Posted in Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Mental Health, Reflection, Self-Care

Moving On: 2025 Closing Thoughts

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

What’s something you’re moving on from?

Reaching December always stirs up a lot of thoughts for me. As I write this, I’m imagining myself sitting under the moonlight with the year’s lessons rolling past me like movie credits. One thing that keeps coming up is what I want to move on from.

I want to move on from the version of me that holds too tightly to experiences that hurt. I’m ready to let them go now. I want to learn what I need to learn — and then let go just as gracefully.

What’s something you want to move on from or let go of?

You can also find this post 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

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

Pencil Case Reflection: The Freedom of Creativity

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

What role does creativity play in your health journey?

Creativity has been my main tool for relief and release ever since I could remember. When my thoughts felt trapped, I found freedom through a pencil, pen, or by typing at 2 a.m. I learned how to make bead bracelets and stickers with affirmations and quotes to move my hands and release the anxious energy that made me feel hopeless or out of control.

I’m grateful for the people I’ve been able to share my creativity with, and for the connections I’ve made through self-expression and vulnerability. To me, love and creativity feel very much the same. Thank you sparkly family for giving me that opportunity! 🎉

✨ How do you use creativity in your health journey? What role does it play for you?

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

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, Other Accomplishments, Reflection, Self-Care

2 Wins!

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks


1. I wouldn’t call these “business” cards since I don’t see what I do as a business. Instead, I’ve designed and ordered my new connection-to-community cards! Yay SparklyWarTanks! 🥰


2. I finally sat down to write in my journal. I didn’t expect to write so much, but I’m glad I could let go of everything I’d been holding in. I feel so much lighter now! 🌻

I did that! 😌

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 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, Self-Talk, The Mighty

Need a Mighty pep talk this week? Me, too.

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

Write yourself an uplifting Mighty pep talk for the week ahead.

It’s one of those Mondays. I’m feeling super tired, and the week’s just begun—I could really use a motivational boost. Anyone else feel the same way? 😵‍💫

Here’s the pep talk I’m giving myself:

Take your time this week, Nina.
You’re allowed to say “no” and move at your own pace. I’m proud of you for showing up and shining like the superstar you are—but don’t forget that rest is important, too. Your worth isn’t defined by how much you do; you are wonderful simply because you exist. Be gentle with yourself today. I love you, always.

🫶 Gentle reminder:
If this exercise felt difficult, know that you are still worthy of love and kindness—even in the moments you don’t feel like it.

Also find this post in the Check In With Me group 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. 😁