What was the last thing you did for yourself or someone else that made you feel good?
Let’s share some feel-good moments with one another!
My Reflection
The last thing I did for myself that made me feel good was make myself tea and allow myself time to be proud of myself for completing all of my tasks for the week. Checking off that last to-do on Friday to enjoy my weekend felt so good!
You can also find this prompt in The Pencil Case on The Mighty here.
Activity
Finish this sentence: I release the need to _________.
Let’s take some deep breaths and release what’s been keeping us from moving forward.
My Reflection
I release the need to know what will happen next in my life and welcome each moment as it comes. I am on the right path.
Feel free to also check out this post in the Check In With Me group on The Mighty here.
What flame do you want to ignite within yourself more? What are you working on getting better at?
🔵🔥 Blue Flame: Confidence
🌕🔥 Yellow Flame: Self-awareness
🔶🔥 Orange Flame: Creativity/self-expression
🔴🔥 Red Flame: Self-advocacy/standing up for yourself
Note: Feel free to also choose your own flames in the comments below!
My Reflection
I choose all four flames! I want to continue working on my growth overall, especially when it comes to my relationships, creativity, and career. I also want to work on being confident in my decisions and staying true to my intuition.
You can also find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty.
Today I will listen to my body and go at a pace that is best for me. I will also eat a filling breakfast, do my work, and help my mom as best I can with grocery shopping and running errands.
Warm reminder: You are worthy of self-care and taking the breaks you need today.
You can also find this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty.
Let’s lift each other up today! Choose a light and follow the prompt that goes with it.
🕯️: What’s a helpful (and practical) piece of advice you’ve been given in the past?
💡: What helps you to stay grounded and continue moving forward?
My Reflection
This advice kind of answers both questions 🕯️💡. I remember my ninth grade English teacher telling me once that when reading a book, stop looking at how much you have left to read and just focus on the page you’re on. This stuck with me because it helps me check in on myself and focus/ground my energy on right now. It’s often easy for me to want to know what’s going to happen next, so only prioritizing on today calms my anxiety and allows me to let go of future expectations.
You can also find this prompt here in the Check In With Me group on The Mighty!
What’s an important experience you’ve had this year?
As we head into the home stretch of 2022, let’s reflect on something important that we’ve experienced thus far. It can be an experience you’ve learned from or an event/moment that’s impacted you positively or negatively.
My Reflection
I’ll go first! An important experience I’ve had this year was getting closer to my mom and building a safe relationship with her.
Check out this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty.
Activity
Make a list of three words or phrases describing your goals for the end of the year.
My Reflection
My three phrases are:
1. Content with my progress. 2. Calm and at peace with myself. 3. Organized and ready to take on another year.
What words are on your list? 🙂🌟
Check out this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty.
Activity
Write a reminder list to guide you through the week ahead.
Let’s prepare for the week ✍️.
Either in your own journal or in the comments below, write a reminder list of important things you want to remember or accomplish this week.
My Reflection
Here is my list:
Therapy
ETS Presentation with NAMI-NYC
Food Shopping
Paying the bills.
Mighty work
Sparkly work and projects
Check out this prompt here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty.
Mid-week Encouragement Rest Stop: Supportive and Motivational Messages
Write an encouraging or motivational message in the comments below for yourself or someone who may need support today. 🌱💌
My Message!
Take your time and rest if you need to. You are doing what you can right now. I’m proud of you ❤️.
You can find this post in The Pencil Case on The Mightyhere.
Activity
Finish this sentence: My proudest moment was when __________.
Think of a moment in your life when you felt the proudest you’ve ever been. What moment comes to mind?
My Reflection
My proudest moment was when I graduated college even after experiencing the lowest I’ve ever been with my mental health. I strived to get that degree and I got it WITH magna cum laude honors AND distinction in the writing program 💃. I did that!
Check out this post in the Cheer Me On group on The Mighty here.
How was this week for everyone? Any highlights, challenges, or victories you would like to share?
My Reflection
My week was OK. I’m proud of myself for getting all of my work done! I’m struggling with insomnia again, though 😩. I’m currently powering through the tiredness and ruminating thoughts.
What about you? Feel free to share in the comments below 💌
You can find this post in The Pencil Case on The Mighty here.
Activity
In the comments below, in your own Pencil Case post, or in a personal journal take a minute or two to just write ✏️. You can write about what’s been frustrating or challenging for you recently, something that you’re proud of yourself for accomplishing, a goal that you have, a poem that you wrote or something that you created, perhaps even a word of encouragement or what’s been helping to keep you inspired or motivated.
My Reflection
Here’s my free write!
Today I want to share about what I’m working on in terms of my growth and progress. I went to therapy recently and realized I have such a hard time being proud of myself and not rationalizing my achievements as expectation. My goal for the rest of the year is to look at my accomplishments as wins no matter how “big” or “small” and allow myself to feel good when I do something great. I deserve to feel good.
You can find this post in The Pencil Case on The Mighty here.
What’s a challenge you’ve worked extra hard to overcome?
Let’s share our victories together today!
Is there a challenge you’ve been faced with that’s taken a bit more effort and consistency to work through or overcome? What has that challenge been like for you? Has the challenge taught you anything thus far?
My Reflection
For me, my biggest challenge was learning how to love myself and put my needs first. It’s taken so much work on my part, and I’m still working on it, but I’ve made so much progress in the past three years! I’m so proud of myself 🌻.
What about you?
**Find this post here in The Pencil Case on TheMighty.com
Activity
A 3 Step Mindful Moment: Gratitude and Intentions
When you come across this message take these three mindful steps:
Step 1: Pause ⏸️ what you are doing and take three deep breaths. Count for three seconds as you inhale and three seconds as you exhale.
Step 2: List two people, places, things or ideas you are grateful for.
Step 3: Set one positive intention for the rest of your day.
Note: Feel free to share your gratitude list and intention for the day in the comments below if you would like 🌟🙂.
My Reflection
Here is my gratitude list and intention for the day:
I am grateful for my bed and food to eat when I’m hungry.
My intention for today is to go slow and listen to my body as I navigate high anxiety.
My affirmation: I am allowed to take my time. There is no rush for me to get through the day.
**Find this post here in The Pencil Case on TheMighty.com
So very excited to announce the NAMI-NYC Expressive Arts workshop event I will be hosting at the end of the month! This event will be via Zoom and on the NAMI-NYC website. You can find the link in the flyer here. On the day of the event click the Expressive Arts Zoom link for July 30th.
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 Me and My Self-Care
Description “Me and My Self-Care” is a creative and fun event focused on reflecting about self-care, love and what “home” feels like to us. Starting with an ice breaker, we will sketch an image and write about our favorite type of self-care. The main activity will then be to pick one of two activities. The first activity will be to draw a self-care toolbox with a list of your favorite and most helpful self-care practices and the second activity will be to write a poem describing what “home” feels like to you and what it’s like for you to experience love, support and acceptance. Lastly, we will close by sharing our works of art.
Materials Paper, writing utensils (pen, pencil, markers, or crayons).
Hope to see you there!
**Sneak peek for my NAMI-NYC event activity.
Activity
What does “home” feel like to you?
If you wanted describe what “home” feels like to you, what words would you use? Does the feeling have a color, an experience, or remind you of a person? Is home a place or an idea?
My Reflection
For me, home is when I feel at peace and when I’m calm. Home is when I’m with my family and friends and I feel safe. Home is when I fully accept myself for who I am. Home is in the present moment.
What about you?
Find this activity in the Self-Care Lounge group on The Mighty here as well.
SparklyWarTanks 