#52SmallThings: A Weekly Self-Care Challenge

When planning to go out for long periods of time, it’s important to prepare! Depending on what you’re doing, how long you’ll be out, where you’re going, and how you’re feeling that day, those must-have items may look different for each of us.

In the warmer months, Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks must have a hat, headphones, a fully-charged phone, and her purse with water, extra paper towels, and a snack.

What’s on your must-have list?

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

Going outside can affect each of us in different ways depending on the weather, temperature, time of year, symptoms we may experience, or medications we might be on.

Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks finds it very beneficial for her mental health to go out in the spring and early summer months, while in the winter months she finds going outside to be more challenging especially for her physical health.

What about you? How does being outside affect your health?

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

What do you like to do when you go outside? Do you like to sit and relax? Read a book or paint? Go hiking or camping? Walk your dog? Play sports, or maybe take a stroll (or roll) in a nearby park?

Share what your favorite outdoor activity is with us in the comments below. ⬇️

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

Let’s put on our backpacks 🎒 and sunscreen🧴and talk about the great outdoors this week!

Whether it’s to get some sunlight (or shade!), have fun, travel to work or school, run some errands, walk your dog, or take care of other responsibilities (like endless doctors’ appointments), venturing outside is almost always a reality for us on a daily basis. For some, this is a part of a regular routine, but for others, not so much. Sometimes health and other factors prohibit outside time and we totally get and hold space for that, too.

What is your experience with the great outdoors? Do you spend a lot of time getting fresh air, or does it depend on your health playing nice?

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

Now that we’ve explored journaling as a self-care tool — thank you for sharing, by the way! — let’s take a moment to put it all into action and write. ✍️

In the comments below, in your own 52 Small Things post, or in a journal, write a few lines about anything that’s been on your mind. This can be something that’s been challenging for you, a health update you want to share with the community (or keep record of), a list of words that describe how you’re feeling, or something you’ve been working on and are proud of yourself for.

Feel free to be as creative or as structured as you like. 💖

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

There are so many different ways you can process your feelings, emotions, and experiences. There is writing, of course, but let’s use today to brainstorm OTHER methods you find helpful in self-reflection.

Some examples could be drawing, taking a walk, or perhaps even talking to a therapist, friend, or trusted loved one.

Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks does her best thinking when she’s talking with her therapist or her mom. These conversations help her gain a different perspective and think things through more clearly.

What do you find helpful?

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