I welcome positive change and transformation into my life. I am equipped to face any challenge that comes my way. I am grateful for what I’m learning and I’m ready to continue on my journey.
Reflection: I did it! I challenged myself to create, write, and reflect every day for 7 days. I’m so proud of myself for keeping at it. I feel a lot better than I did a week ago. I’m ready for what’s next and will keep doing my best 😇.
I think it’s about time I’ve done another themed writing series! For this series I’ll be writing personal daily affirmations 🦋.
Today’s affirmations are:
I trust myself and the decisions I make. I’m allowed to make mistakes and learn new lessons every day. I take my time and do my best. Good things happen to me regularly.
Reflection: As I navigate new environments and meet new people, I’m learning to trust myself better and not be afraid to make mistakes. I affirm that my best can look different every day and I can do a good job every time. I don’t have to be perfect. I’m allowed to learn as I go and be kind to myself in the process.
The energy of love that flows with creation helps me to understand how to take care of myself. Every time I create something, my body feels better. I can navigate happiness and excitement while I bask in the relief of success. I love myself more and more as I make time for my imagination and creativity.
Affirmation: I practice self-care every time I create. My creativity is beautiful.
We’re 30 years old already. Can you believe it?! We made it this far. And, yes, we still have big emotions that feel overwhelming sometimes. But, I’m still working on our goals and I’m continuously redefining what success looks like every day.
We were going through some old pictures with mom a few weeks ago and I finally remember. I remember how you felt most of the time. I remember the moments where you didn’t feel seen or loved by anyone. I remember when you started to use perfectionism and people pleasing to try to get people to notice and prioritize you. I remember when self-hate seeped in, too. I’m unlearning all those things for us, though. You are lovable and don’t need to be perfect for anyone to realize how valuable you are. We don’t need to go above and beyond anymore, hurting ourselves by doing too much, just so people can be happy that we’re around.
I remember when we didn’t know how to identify our emotions and were confused a lot of the time from our sensitivities. I know how often we cried from being overstimulated. No need to worry though. I’ve created safety for us now. You can feel your feelings and no one will get mad or yell at you anymore.
Little Nina, there is nothing wrong with you. There was never anything wrong with you. Our big emotions make us extra special. Our brain gets sad and anxious sometimes now, and sometimes we have bad dreams, but I promise I’ll take care of us.
I know that there were things you really wanted to experience, especially when we were a teen, and it hasn’t happened yet, but that’s OK. We still have more life to live and people to meet. I’m trying my hardest not to give up on certain things. I know how much we value love and want to bask in it as much as possible. But, I can’t say I don’t struggle with that idea still.
I’ve grown in loving US, though. I love you so much and want you to feel safe to be you. You are amazing, talented, funny, and beautiful. Your light is sooo bright and it’ll only get brighter as we get older. You don’t have to be scared anymore. I put boundaries up to protect us, OK?
We are helping other people who felt like you did growing up now. I’m sharing our story so we can help other people feel loved and seen, too.
We’re doing a great job and walking in our purpose. It started with you, though, because you did your best with what you had. I got it from here.
I love you so much 🩷 Big hugs and kisses from 30 year old you, Adult Nina
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!
Encouragement Rest Stop: Write an encouraging message in the comments below.
Write an encouraging message in the comments below for someone who may need it this week ⭐.
I’ll go first!
It’s OK if all you do is exist today. Take as much time as you need for yourself. You are important and deserve to do what’s best for you.
Need help thinking of a message to share? Drop a favorite quote, affirmation, song verse, or positive coping strategy instead. 💌
Find this prompt in The Pencil Case on The Mighty here.
What words, thoughts, phrases, or ideas come to mind when you think about the passage of time?
Mighties, we’re a few days into the new year and I’m working on building a different perspective when it comes to my ideas of time and how to best move forward.
The first step I’m taking is making a list of thoughts, words, phrases, and ideas that come to mind when it comes to the concept of time in general. Here is my list:
💫”Time is an illusion” 🌱 “Time is a series of present moments” 🔁 Past, present, future ⌛Running out ⏰ “Give yourself time” ✅ Right time 🦋 “Time heals all things” 🧘 Patience
What ideas are most true for you? ⌚
This prompt is also in the Chat Space group on The Mighty here.
Write a list of 5 hobbies, habits, coping strategies, or self-care techniques that you want to continue practicing this year.
I’ve learned so many things that have been helpful for my mental health over the past few years — some that I’ve stayed true to and others that’ve been challenging to implement on a daily basis (but I’m still trying!). The 5 that I definitely want to continue practicing this year are:
😴 Staying on top of my sleep (getting between 7 – 9 hours) 👨👩👧👦 Creating new traditions and spending time with my family 🍳Eating breakfast 🍵 Drinking 2 cups of tea every day 🎨 Including some form of creativity in my regular schedule
What are yours?
Also find this prompt in the Let’s Talk Depression group on The Mighty here!
Choose a star and complete the sentence that goes with it! ⭐💫🌟
⭐ I’m proud of myself for… 💫I’m getting better at… 🌟 I’m no longer going to…
I’ll choose the third star 🌟!
I’m no longer going to push myself past my limits or do things I don’t have enough energy for.
Which star do you choose? 🙂
This prompt is also in the Cheer Me On group on The Mighty here.
What’s something you want to practice more moving forward?
As the year winds down, I find myself reflecting on what I want to focus on — especially in terms of the relationship I have with myself. One of the things I want to intentionally practice is having more patience and love for myself. I notice that when I think too deeply or for too long about the expectations I have, I tend to be very self-critical which leaves me feeling stuck. I want to learn how to show myself more grace when I’m faced with uncomfortable or uncontrollable circumstances.
What about you? What’s something you want to practice more that’ll be helpful for you?
You can also find this prompt in The Pencil Case on The Mighty here.
Dear 2023…
Activity:
Let’s write farewell letters to 2023 this week. In your letters you can add things you’ve learned, things you want to let go of and move on from, important events that happened, how you want to move forward, or how your health has impacted you. Write whatever feels good!
Reflection:
Here’s my letter:
Dear 2023,
A lot has happened this year. I’ve felt so much grief, sadness, and confusion. I’ve experienced new symptoms and felt the weight of the world on my shoulders — some days it was even too heavy to carry by myself. I’ve had moments where I gave my best and didn’t feel like it was enough, or that I wasn’t worthy of the companionship, friendships, relationships, or the love I was craving. I’ve been really tired.
2023, I’ve extended myself and my love to so many people that I saw were suffering around the world. I still hold them deep in my heart.
I’ve had conversations and listened to stories that’s opened my perspective and learned new things from others.
Moving forward, 2023, I want to be more confident in myself, in my voice, my talents, and my skills. I don’t want to hide when I feel afraid because in the past that made me feel safe. I want to continue to advocate and show others that it’s OK not to be OK and there are people who care about them… like me! I want to be kinder to myself because I deserve kindness, and be gentler with myself because I deserve gentleness. I want to continue to listen to the stories of others and grow in awareness of what they experience. (If you’re reading this, your voice matters!)
I also want to thank the people who have helped me get through this year like my therapist, my mom, sister, NAMI-NYC fam, favorite Mighty boss lady kat, fellow kind soul and community teammate skye, plus all of you reading this right now. Any kind word or positive energy sent was received and greatly appreciated.
Farewell 2023.
It’s been a roller coaster, Nina aka SparklyWarTanks
You can also find this prompt in The Pencil Case on The Mighty here.
Sometimes I look at myself and get lost in my thoughts. I think about all that’s happened up to this point. I think about the decisions I’ve made and what “success” looks like for me. I wonder about experiences I wish I would have and the possibility of them happening. I rummage in my body looking for unfamiliar feelings and accessing them more regularly. Hope is one of those feelings. I imagine myself thriving in hope. As I push forward, I sit with my fear and allow it to pass through, it’s a part of me, too. I’m gentle with myself and I’m learning to go slow as I let go of control.
I’m deserving of good things and love, of life showering me with experiences that fill me with happiness. I’m allowed to be a person, to make mistakes, and to move on from them. I’m doing a good job. There’s no timeline I have to be on. There’s no one in front of me or behind me. It’s just me experiencing this reality. I can let go of all my expectations to be anything more than what I am right now.
I’m where I need to be in the body that’s mine. I’m who I need to be in order to be successful. I’m enough and nothing can change this fact.
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 