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.
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.
It’s the beginning of a new week, sparkly friends—a great time to think about how we can sprinkle a little creativity into our days.
Sometimes it’s hard to feel creative when energy is low and the week ahead looks busy. Still, I’m hoping to spend some time writing in my new journal and updating my calendar with stickers and important dates for next month. 🤔✍️
What about you—what does creativity look like for you this week? 🖌️🖋️✏️
Also find this prompt in The Pencil Case on The Mighty here.
Writing letters has always been a powerful tool for me to process and release stress, limiting beliefs, and painful memories. It helps me learn how to love and care for myself more deeply. 2024 has been a big year for me, and today I want to bid it farewell.
Dear 2024,
I want to say goodbye. You’ve taught me so much in just 12 months, and I’m grateful for all the tough lessons I’ve learned. I’ve experienced painful moments and beautiful ones, had “aha” moments, and encountered situations I still don’t fully understand.
I choose to release the stress and anxiety I’ve been carrying, especially from these past three months. I deserve peace of mind, even if only for a second or two. As I close this chapter, I do so knowing I gave my best. I’m proud of myself for making it to this point, and I choose to give myself grace today.
Thank you and farewell, Nina
If you feel inspired and up to it, you’re welcome to write your own farewell letter—whether in your own journal or in the comments below. 💌
You can also find this post in The Pencil Case on The Mighty here.
Guess what?! I have a new group on The Mighty called Mighty Mood Tracking. Check it out if you’re interested in regularly keeping up with and reflecting about how you’re feeling. ⏰
Whether it’s the transition from fall to winter, winter to spring, or spring to summer, the changes in seasons seem to always affect me in different ways 🤔. I definitely notice a change in my mood, thoughts, and motivation for sure. I even notice sometimes I have a persistent low mood in the hotter months sometimes too, but I’m more inclined to go outside for a walk.
What are your thoughts and experiences? How do the seasons affect you and your mental and/or physical health?
You can also find this prompt in The Pencil Case on The Mighty here!
Happy New Year, Sparkly family! Let’s continue to journey together in 2024 💌.
Here’s a final reflection prompt for the year 🙂:
If you created your own “Happy New Year” holiday card, what message or gift would you add inside of it?
I’ll go first!
I would write the message, “Congratulations, you’ve successfully passed to the next level!” and add a gift card with an unlimited amount of hugs in it 🥹🥳.
What would you add inside your card?
Feel free to also find this prompt in The Pencil Case on The Mighty here.
Let’s talk a bit about some challenges we’re being faced with and the ways we are managing, navigating, and/or overcoming them (whatever that looks like!).
A challenge I’m working to overcome is motivating myself to be more active, go out, and open myself up to new opportunities. A theme I’ve noticed this year overall in terms of my self-care and growth is gaining enough confidence in myself to do things out of my comfort zone. I know that I have some fears of the unknown, so I’m being patient with myself as I explore new and different possibilities.
What about you?
You can also find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!
What’s keeping you going right now?
With all that’s happening in the world and with all the challenges we are faced with (holiday depression, anyone?), I want to say I’m super proud of each and every one of you who may be also experiencing challenges, too (including myself 🙂).
Today, let’s share what’s keeping us going! Hope is healing, right?
I’ll go first!
My family and my passion to continue sharing my story are what’s keeping me going right now.
You can also find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!
When you come across this post, I invite you take this 2-step mindful moment with me:
Step 1: Pause for a second and scoop up the moment just for you — you deserve it. Close your eyes, put your hand to your chest (if you can), and take one big deep breath.
Step 2: List two or three things you need from yourself today.
⭐ Note: Feel free to write your list in the comments below! ⭐️
Here is my list:
Two things I need from myself today: patience in allowing myself to process my emotions fully, and permission to complete my work and responsibilities at a pace that’s most comfortable for me.
You can also find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!
What’s something you could use a break from?
Do you know what I could use right now? A break 😫. Especially from my ruminating thoughts and pile of responsibilities. Today, I definitely need to take a moment to recollect myself, ugh 🥹.
Is there anything you could use a break from?
You can also find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty as well!
What’s something fun you can do between now and the end of the year?
Lately it’s been really important for me to do things that I enjoy, especially since my depression has been at an all-time high, and I’m trying my absolute hardest not to let my low feelings consume my sense of adventure and fulfillment.
In order to get on top of my self-care, I’ve been brainstorming some things I can do for the remainder of 2023 that’ll help me feel a bit better about myself.
Here is my list of things I plan to do:
🍎 Go apple picking with my family 🥬 Go to a new vegan restaurant 📅 Take myself on a date once a month and buy myself something nice 💎 Find and go to a new crystal store I can explore
What about you?
This prompt can also be found in the Self-Care Lounge group on The Mighty here!
We all experience health, from how we take care of our bodies or manage our health symptoms/conditions, to the decisions we make in our life and how we maintain a state of well-being — physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and socially. This, of course, looks different for all of us since we’re all unique and have different experiences.
My Reflection
To me, “healthy” means and looks like knowing where my limits are and feeling good in my body. Health for me also looks like understanding myself and allowing myself to feel my feelings, always being mindful of how much sleep I’m getting, and knowing how and when to ask for help.
What about you? What does “healthy” look like for you?
Find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!
Activity
Finish this sentence: I’m looking forward to _________.
My Reflection
Guess what?!
I don’t really get the opportunity to go out to big events much, but I’m going to an NF concert (who I absolutely love) and I’m super excited! I’ve been looking forward to this for months and it’s finally here 😁🙌. Yay me!
What’s something you’re looking forward to? 👀
Let’s cheer each other on in the comments below! 🥳💃
Find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty!
SparklyWarTanks 