For me, I will not:
Join the conversation here in The Pencil Case on The Mighty.
So excited to share my two Mighty worksheets that were a part of this amazing toolkit launched on The Mighty this month! One worksheet was on self-talk and the other on daily affirmations.
This toolkit is packed with so much free mental health printables, activities, worksheets, and resources. You don’t want to miss out!
Important Note: Make sure when you click the link above to scroll down to find my worksheets shown in the images below.
“One of the toughest challenges I face living with an invisible illness is explaining to others what it’s like to be in my head. From the long anxious nights fighting insomnia to struggling to find the motivation to get out of bed most mornings, one of the only ways I’m able to explain what it’s like to grapple with my persistent depression is by using analogies.
Analogies help me to be both creative and descriptive as I paint a mental image of my experiences. The most recent analogy I’ve used to explain my depression to my therapist is the most spot-on, especially since this year has been my toughest one yet.
My analogy goes a little like this: Living with persistent depressive disorder is like a series of dark tunnels in my mind. There are no lights at the end of any of these tunnels. Instead, the lights are in small pockets underneath street lamps surrounded by fireflies. These fireflies represent strength, reassurance, and growth. And although they aren’t everlasting, I can use what I’ve learned from them while I continue to crawl along in my dark tunnel.
I’m proud to know my toolbox is filled with everything I’ve learned in the light, but that doesn’t make my darkness end — I face that reality every day. But with that knowledge, I can keep going because I know I’ll soon reach another bright pocket.
Reminder:
If you ever find yourself in your own dark tunnel, it’s OK to rest and take a peek inside your self-care toolbox. You are not alone and the darkness doesn’t always last forever.”
Have you ever used an analogy to describe what it’s like living with an invisible illness? Join the conversation here on The Pencil Case.
This activity was featured in The Mighty #CheckInWithMe newsletter which you can subscribe to on the TheMighty.com or Mighty app.
Create your own poem in the comments below or join this prompt and participate on The Mighty here.
From not knowing what types of goals to make to racking up the motivation and will power to follow through with goals, we all know that setting goals can be challenging. Depending on how important that goal or task is to us can determine whether we engage with the process of achieving that goal.
What is your biggest challenge when setting goals?-What is the challenge you face?
-Why is the challenge difficult to overcome?
-How can you overcome that challenge?
The biggest challenge I face when setting goals is making sure my goals are manageable. I tend to make professional goals that are “big” and take more than one step to achieve.
To help myself from procrastinating or abandoning these goals, I can maybe focus more on creating smaller goals I can accomplish in a shorter amount of time.
Join this prompt’s conversation here on The Mighty.
Setting goals can be difficult especially if we find ourselves unmotivated or having lots to do. For me, it helps to break up my goals from least likely to accomplish right away to something I can do today.
This week, let’s focus on our personal goals and ways we can prioritize our self-care.
What is a personal goal you want to set this week?
-What is the goal?
-Why is this goal important to you?
-How can you make sure you prioritize and accomplish this goal?
A personal goal that I’m setting this week is honoring my needs by starting my bedtime routine by 11:00 pm. Crippling insomnia has dictated most of this quarantine and I really need to prioritize my sleep so I feel less drowsy and achy the following day.
Join this prompt’s conversation here on The Mighty.
For the last month and a half or so I’ve been seeing a therapist for the first time since that one semester in my senior year of college. Although it’s difficult to manage all the emotions that come up as I talk through all of “my stuff”, I’m continuing to come in contact with the parts of me that were previously tucked deeply away. The more I talk and navigate my experiences, the more I’m able to identify the parts of me that need healing.
In these few weeks I learned three big things about my personality, habits, and tendencies:
1. I’m a highly sensitive person and a hopeless romantic.
2. I have issues with feeling good enough and loving myself in the same intensity that I love others.
3. I’m a recovering perfectionist and still struggle with “doing” too much to feel seen. I try to “stay busy” in order to distract myself from feelings unlovable, worthless, and enough. I crave outside stimuli to try to fill a void inside.
As I’m learning about what it means to be me, the good and the bad, I found that creativity and writing are my most helpful tools for feeling better.
Because I’m aware of my perfectionism, I’m trying to reverse and redirect the energies I put in “doing”, “pleasing” and “overexerting” back into myself. As I practice what feeds my passion, I’m beginning to realize what love means for me. The more I see what love is for me, the more I can pour back into myself the void of practicing and feeling self-love.
Passion is the manifestation of self-love — It’s love in doing. Passion is one of the only feelings (along with ambition, for example) that can not be given to someone else. To feel passion is to come in contact with something in yourself that feeds your needs and fuels your purpose.
When I create, write, and tell my story I feel passion. Doing what I feel passion for allows me to access peace and satisfaction perfectionism never can.
As I move closer to reclaiming my self-love, allowing it to travel to all parts of me (including my perspective of myself), I will use writing and creativity to help heal me of my self-love wound.
Find your passion. Find what helps you feel good and accomplished. Learn about yourself and learn what love means to you. Feel and access the energy of love. Once you’ve found the peace that comes with love, you can practice love for yourself and with others.
Self-care with unbreakable self-love is powerful and can help you build a healthier you.
See this collage on my Mighty page.
Ever wanted a moment to yourself? Ever wished you could push a “pause” button on life when you feel overwhelmed? I can relate!
I’ve recently learned a mindfulness technique that can help when you feel overcome by negative thinking. Instead of spiraling into a tough place mentally, pause. Mindfulness techniques such as this can help to build self-awareness as well as practice the art of acknowledging without spiraling.
Here are four steps you can take:
#1: Once you witness a negative thought entering your mind, pause. Say it out loud if necessary. Interrupt the thought.
#2: Acknowledge the thought. Notice why you’re thinking it.
#3: Take a deep breath.
#4: Witness the thought as just a thought and let it pass. Do not give in or allow it to shift your perspective.
The idea is to learn how to “pause” at the moment a negative thought is introduced and build mindfulness around self-care and self-awareness. Whether it’s saying “pause” out loud or manifesting a pause in our actions, the act of pausing teaches us to manage our thoughts in hopes of creating a more workable outlook on our lives and experiences.
What’s one thought you can pause today?
“Pause” is an activity/graphic I’ve created for The Mighty!
You can see the community engagement post here.
You can also find this graphic as a sticker in my shop!
July was an exciting month for me! Following becoming a community leader on The Mighty, I had the privilege of hosting my own #CheckInWithMe three-part Notes Series!
My series included an intro (which was sent out in the #CheckInWithMe Newsletter via email) as well as a post on my Mighty Page.
Below is a sneak peek of the three parts.
**You are always welcomed to join the conversation and write a note!
Part 1
Portion of intro
…Whether I’m on the go or sitting on my bed with a million thoughts, checking in with myself is the most productive way I’ve learned to stop, think and reflect. In doing so, I’m able to pinpoint how I’m feeling as well as possible reasons and next steps I can take to feel better. Writing is the main tool I use to make all of my thoughts more tangible — it allows me to vent and get everything out.
Starting can be the most difficult task when writing, but not to worry! I’m sharing some writing prompts above so you can #CheckInWithMe if you have a hard time checking in with yourself.
Here is a list of writing prompts you can use to kick-start your checking in process:
Link to my Mighty Post for part 1 here.
Part 2 (Introducing Notes)
Portion of Intro
Aside from writing on The Mighty, I also enjoy creating small writing projects to stay focused on my goals. This helps me stay positive and keep track of my mental health. One habit I’ve picked up in my blogging/writing journey is to write a note, message or thought on my blog when I’m feeling down, curious, angry, anxious or accomplished. Keeping up with this habit has allowed me to build self-awareness and remain in touch with my inner thoughts while staying positive.
Whether it’s on a phone app, post-it note, dry-erase board or in a journal, today I challenge you to write a note too. It can be long or short, a simple thought or even a goal. The idea is to write down ideas and thoughts that motivate you to keep going. The note might even help you to write something more extensive in the future!
In your note you can write:
To get started you can ask yourself how you are feeling, what you want to accomplish, why you are having recurring thoughts about a specific subject, next steps to a goal, or encouraging words you would like to be reminded of.
Link to my Mighty post for part 2 here.
Part 3
**Mighty post and intro are the same.
Mighty post
Title: Keep Checking in With Yourself. Keep Writing Notes.
It’s okay to not feel okay today or any other day. Although some days are more difficult than others check in with yourself and write, be creative. Writing notes has saved me from feeling trapped and voiceless and can help you too. Write a note to remind yourself that you can get through whatever you are going through.
Thank you to everyone who shared and commented last week or this week. You are brave and amazing.
Remember that you are filled with purpose and worth. Your power is immense and you can achieve all that you believe you can. Your voice and story are important. There is only one of you and your voice is one of a kind.
Keep writing notes!
You can find this post on The Mighty here!
Writing notes has been a part of my Sparkly experience for about 2 years. I’m excited to share the impact of writing and how it can help you too!
The more I heal and become who I want to be, the more excited I am to share what helped me get where I am.
Time for round 2! I will be hosting my second Mighty and Sparkly event in New York City!
Description:
Storytime is an open, creative, and safe space where we will tell our stories unafraid and unapologetically. As we open up and express what we’ve experienced in our mental health journey, we will reflect on our transformation and growth.
Details:
Time: 12 pm – 3 pm
If you are interested or in New York send me a message, rsvp on The Mighty, or simply click “going” on the Facebook page.
SparklyWarTanks 