#52SmallThings: A Weekly Self-Care Challenge

Familial relationships can be complex, even more so for those of us who have experienced some level of trauma/abuse, or who have set boundaries with our immediate or extended biological families for a variety of reasons. Thankfully, this doesn’t necessarily mean we can’t create a family of our own.

A "found family" (also called a "chosen family") is a family we create ourselves with people we meet who help us to feel safe, protected, and loved.

Do you have a "found family?" Tell us about them. What makes your relationships with them great?

#52SmallThings #CheckInWithMe #Selfcare #MentalHealth #Disability #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RareDisease #Anxiety #Depression
#Autism #Parenting #PTSD #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #BipolarDisorder #Fibromyalgia #Lupus #MultipleSclerosis #Migraine #Spoonie

A great way to strengthen the relationships and bonds you have with the people who are important to you is to engage in fun activities or hobbies together. From watching movies to craft projects, board games, going out to eat, or even tried-and-true conversation, the possibilities are endless!

What are your favorite ways to pass the time with those you love?

#52SmallThings #CheckInWithMe #Selfcare #MentalHealth #Disability #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RareDisease #Anxiety #Depression
#Autism #Parenting #PTSD #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #BipolarDisorder #Fibromyalgia #Lupus #MultipleSclerosis #Migraine #Spoonie

As some of my fellow Mighties may have noticed, I have been absent from The Mighty for a past few months. The reason for this, and also the reason that I may be continuing to have some short breaks, is that, after years of surviving in a home that was entirely unsuitable and unsafe for me because of my disability and mobility needs, I was finally able to move into a fully adapted, wheelchair accessible, home.

This time last year I was surviving in a flat/apartment that had become entirely unsuitable and unsafe for me for so many reasons that it would take far too long so I created this list of the top 5 issues. Now I live in a home that is beyond anything I could have ever imagined living in and has, and continues to, improve my self-confidence, my self-worth and my life.

#Disability #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #FunctionalNeurologicalDisorder #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #MentalHealth #Anxiety #Depression #BackPain #MightyTogether #CheerMeOn #52SmallThings

Having a mental health condition, chronic illness, and/or disability can affect your life in many different ways, including the relationships you have with the people around you. From work connections, to building and maintaining friendships, familial relationships, or even dating — health can either strengthen or weaken bonds. It can even cause bonds to break.

What have your experiences been like? How does your health play a role?

Share with us below. ⬇️

#52SmallThings #CheckInWithMe #Selfcare #MentalHealth #Disability #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RareDisease #Anxiety #Depression
#Autism #Parenting #PTSD #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #BipolarDisorder #Fibromyalgia #Lupus #MultipleSclerosis #Migraine #Spoonie

We’ll be talking about relationships this week, Mighties! 🌸

Whether it’s with a family member, friend, co-worker, medical professional, or someone else in your life (neighbors! boss! your kids’ teacher!), we are continuously building relationships with those around us. And it’s our values in those relationships that help us to stay true to ourselves while also maintaining the connections we find important.

Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks values consistency, open and honest communication, and transparency in her relationships. There’s nothing more important to her than feeling safe enough to be fully herself.

What do you value most?

#52SmallThings #CheckInWithMe #Selfcare #MentalHealth #Disability #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RareDisease #Anxiety #Depression
#Autism #Parenting #PTSD #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #BipolarDisorder #Fibromyalgia #Lupus #MultipleSclerosis #Migraine #Spoonie

Now that we've discussed what boundaries are and how they look for us, let's end this week's challenge with setting three personal boundaries with ourselves. Remember that it's totally OK to have needs and want to express them!

Here is Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks ' boundary list:

1. Prioritizing self-care and setting aside time for things she wants to do.
2. Taking breaks throughout the day, even when she has unfinished tasks.
3. Saying no when she doesn’t have the energy to do something.

#52SmallThings #CheckInWithMe #Selfcare #MentalHealth #Disability #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RareDisease #Anxiety #Depression #Autism #Parenting #PTSD #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #BipolarDisorder #Fibromyalgia #Lupus #MultipleSclerosis #Migraine #Spoonie