#52SmallThings: A Weekly Self-Care Challenge

For this week’s self-care challenge, we’ll be focusing on ✨communication✨.

From verbal to nonverbal, written, visual, or even active listening, there are a wide variety of ways we can communicate with one other (and ourselves). What we determine to be "good" or effective communication depends on our situational needs and preferences, especially in reference to the topic we’re discussing and how we want our messages to be received or portrayed.

What does "good" communication look like for you? What helps you to feel seen and heard when interacting with someone else?

Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks says "good" communication for her involves welcoming body language, eye contact, listening without interruption, as well as a calm and understanding tone when speaking, especially in conversations when she’s discussing her feelings and concerns with someone.

#52SmallThings #CheckInWithMe #Selfcare #MentalHealth #Disability #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RareDisease #Anxiety #Depression

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 #Relationships #CheckInWithMe #Selfcare #MentalHealth #Disability #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RareDisease #Anxiety #Depression

Wednesdays things: What do you like better? #lifeslittlejoys #MightyTogether #GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder #Anxiety #Depression #sad #Trauma #PTSD #CPTSD #ChildhoodEmotionalAbuse #Shame #MentalHealth #SexualTrauma #Daterape #Religious Trauma #MedicalTrauma #InflammatoryBowelDiseaseIBD #CrohnsDisease #UlcerativeColitis #jpouch #BodyImage #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #Insomnia #GastroesophagealRefluxDisease #stomachulcer #RheumatoidArthritis #Jointpain #stricture #MultipleDisabilities #Loneliness #Grief #Suicide #checkinonme #Childhoodtrauma #DistractMe #CheerMeOn #MakeMeLaugh #TheMighty #MightyMinute #52SmallThings #liftmeup #everythinggenx #MightyPets

Who remembers Scratch and Sniff Stickers?? #everythinggenx #MightyTogether #GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder #Anxiety #Depression #sad #Trauma #PTSD #CPTSD #ChildhoodEmotionalAbuse #Shame #MentalHealth #SexualTrauma #Daterape #Religious Trauma #MedicalTrauma #InflammatoryBowelDiseaseIBD #CrohnsDisease #UlcerativeColitis #jpouch #BodyImage #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #Insomnia #GastroesophagealRefluxDisease #stomachulcer #RheumatoidArthritis #Jointpain #stricture #MultipleDisabilities #Loneliness #Grief #Suicide #checkinonme #Childhoodtrauma #DistractMe #CheerMeOn #MakeMeLaugh #TheMighty #MightyMinute #52SmallThings #liftmeup #lifeslittlejoys #MightyPets

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 #Relationships #Selfcare #MentalHealth #Disability #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RareDisease #Anxiety #Depression

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 #Relationships #CheckInWithMe #Selfcare #MentalHealth #Disability #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RareDisease #Anxiety #Depression

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 #Relationships #MentalHealth #Disability #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RareDisease #Anxiety #Depression