Tag: Self-Care
#CheckInWithMe in The Pencil Case: How Is This Week Going?
Find this Check-in here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty.
Pick a self-kindness affirmation card to accompany you through the rest of the week:
1. I am enough.
2. I give myself permission to rest.
3. I give myself space to learn and grow.
4. It’s okay for me to ask for help.
5. My worth is not dependent on how much I get done.
6. I honor my needs by resting when my body tells me to.
Feel free to add your own affirmation!
NAMI-NYC Expressive Arts Workshop Event: Lifeboat
So very excited to announce the NAMI-NYC Expressive Arts workshop event I will be co-hosting later this month! 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 29th, 2020.
If you have any questions or concerns feel free email me or leave a comment. 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
Lifeboat
Time
5:30 pm – 7 pm EST
Description:
“Lifeboat” is a creative, reflective, and fun event focused on creatively describing ourselves, our challenges, and how we can approach those challenges using our strengths, skills, and perspective. Starting with an ice breaker, we will brainstorm our favorite slogans, affirmations, and quotes. The main activity will be to then imagine a scene of a boat out at sea. Each portion of the image signifies a different portion to approaching challenges: the sea being our challenges and things would like to improve in our daily life, the boat being the tools we use to approach those challenges and how we can take care of ourselves in the process, and sky being goals and ways we can maintain self-care using those tools in our lifeboat. Lastly, we will close by sharing our works of art!
Materials
Paper, writing utensils (pen, pencil, markers, or crayons).
Hope to see you there!
The Pencil Case: Are you Highly Sensitive, too?
My Story
Sometimes the world around me is a lot to process — noises are too loud, lights too bright and my thoughts often fall down a never-ending spiral. I care deeply for the people around me and wish I could do more. It’s like I’m an emotional sponge.
I’m no stranger to feeling overwhelmed and I catch myself retreating in order to feel better again. I regain my energy with creativity and love to reflect so I can better understand myself and others. My brain likes looking at the bigger picture but does so through subtleties. I see patterns and small details and my favorite questions are “why?” and “how?”
However, being highly sensitive has made me susceptible to scrutiny and criticism. I’m often “too much” or “too deep” for the liking of some people. I remember once being told, “You make things too difficult and complex and would benefit from being more simple.” That isn’t who I am though, and I shouldn’t be ashamed of how sensitive I am. It’s taken me some time to fully understand and accept my emotional nature and to perceive it as an ability instead of a burden.
While feeling deeply is no walk in the park, I am proud of how far I’ve come in my journey of self-love. But I know I still have so much more to learn. If you are a highly sensitive person like me, know that you are not alone. No matter what, you are not “too much” and I’m happy to walk this journey with you..
What are your experiences like as a highly sensitive person?
Can You Relate? Let’s Reflect!
- How are you feeling?
- Do you feel overwhelmed, anxious, frustrated, or overstimulated? Where and when do you feel this way?
- Are you overextending your energy?
- When was the last time you took a break?
- Do you need time alone?
- What places help you feel safe?
- What are your triggers and how can you manage them?
- What is in your control?
- What are your needs? How can you prioritize your needs better?
- What are your limits? What are you okay/not okay with?
- Do you need to write down your thoughts or talk them out?
- Who can you ask for help?
Join this conversation here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty, or comment on this post!
Defying Shadows: How to Cope With Post-Lockdown Anxiety
“Note: You are not alone in your worries and anxiety about what life will look like post-lockdown; it’s okay to seek help, support, and community.”
Article Link: How to Cope With Post-Lockdown Anxiety
Pencil Case Prompts Goal Book: Building Confidenice
Activity
My Little Seed
I remember planting this seed and thinking it would never grow. Pressured by the expectation that I’m doing something wrong, I was plagued with thoughts that if it didn’t show it’s growth it would be my fault.
But, although my expectations were low, it grew anyway and the tears I shed when it showed its little leaves made me realize I’m okay.
I’m okay because the seed is planted and as long as I have even the slightest hope that it would grow, it just might grow.
I just might grow, too.
Dear Depression
With every breath in me and all of my energy, I push past the parts of myself that tell me I can’t.
Even on the mornings I ask “why?” I embody the character of resiliency.
“I am” despite the thoughts that say “I’m not.”
I define every day with what living means.
I draw it in cursive along the walls of my subconscious.
I deserve peace and I manifest it in every moment.
Although I need time to get my pain together, my strength always takes the lead.
What I have is the power those thoughts try to take from me.
But, even when I feel I’m at my lowest when the fear feels bigger than the triumph,
I get up.
I get up. Every. Single. Time.
Why? Because “I am.”
Defying Shadows: The Dangers of Being Too Busy
“…While our daily schedules influence and prompt us to prioritize work-related tasks, it becomes difficult to slow down and also include self-care habits and routines that are important, too.
When much of our time is dedicated to working, when do we incorporate self-care and breaks into our daily schedule? How do we know when to effectively manage our time so we are not forced to take a break because of burnout?“