#CheckInWithMe: Give and get support here.

Ah, time management — a skill that takes practice and patience, especially when there’s a lot to do or other factors (like our health!) make it difficult to stick to strict timelines, schedules, or due dates.

What does managing your time look like for you? Do you think you manage your time well? What strategies work best for you? How might you improve your time management skills based on what matters most to you?

#MightyMinute #CheckInWithMe #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Disability #RareDisease #MentalHealth #Anxiety #Autism #Parenting #PTSD #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #BipolarDisorder #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #EatingDisorders #Depression #Fibromyalgia #Lupus #MultipleSclerosis #Migraine #Spoonie

Something I find helpful for understanding the shame and grief I carry is writing messages, notes, and letters to my younger self — whether that’s my inner child or my inner teen. These are parts of me that endured so much and didn’t know how to cope with those intense experiences at the time.

Lately, I’ve been connecting with my inner teenager and allowing her to finally feel everything she wasn’t allowed to back then. I’ve noticed how angry, crushed, and betrayed she still feels from all the things she wished she could experience but couldn’t, and how much she wasn’t able to process or release because she didn’t understand what was happening.

Here is my message to her today:

Dear teen Nina,

It’s OK to feel every emotion coming up right now — anger, resentment, shame, frustration, betrayal. I know those feelings are scary for you. You don’t have to perform anymore or try to be perfect for everyone around you. It’s OK to make mistakes; that doesn’t make you a bad person. You deserve to be loved and accepted every day without having to do anything to earn it. You can move slowly and take your time — no one is pressuring you anymore. You are free to be your wonderful and beautiful self.

Oh, and one more thing: other people’s suffering or struggles are not your fault. You are not responsible for their emotions or reactions.

I love you, and I’m here whenever you need me.

— Adult Nina (sparklywartanks)

#CheckInWithMe #Grief #MentalHealth #Anxiety #Depression #BipolarDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #PTSD #EatingDisorder #ChronicIllness #RareDisease #ChronicPain #Spoonie #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #CrohnsDisease #Cancer #Migraine #Fibromyalgia #MultipleSclerosis

Let's share our greatest accomplishments today, shall we Mighties!? Think about the moments where you look back and say, "I really did that!" These can be times when you overcame a challenge, persevered, got a degree, achieved a health goal, decided to do something that benefited you, or got out of your comfort zone.

Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks accomplishments are when she graduated from college with honors, when she hosted her first event, and when she began to volunteer her time to talk with grade school students about the importance of mental health.

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

Pauley and I are both sitting on the couch next to each other just like every day. I have my noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones on and I'm playing on my phone desperate to connect with anyone who will talk to me. Pauley is focused on reading random articles on Wikipedia. Or she spends hours plucking leg hair. But we're not interacting. We're just... Existing in the same room. And I've started feeling like I'm going nowhere with my life. I have ambition, dreams and goals. I want to make new friends. I want to make new memories. But I'm stuck because she's not interested. And I'm too chicken to go alone. I don't know how to make peace with my life being worthless.
#Depression #CheckInWithMe

I'm sitting on my couch with Pauley... I'm wrapped up in my blankie fighting back tears and feeling very lost. She just looked at me and said my hair looks funny. I usually put it up in 2 ponytails but I don't right now. I don't feel like my usual quirky self. I just feel broken.
#CheckInWithMe

When learning something for the first time or expanding our understanding of a subject, different methods can help us retain and grasp important information. Some people find visuals and clear instructions helpful, while others benefit from hands-on practice and repetition. Some prefer one-on-one teaching, while others thrive in a group setting. The most effective method can also depend on the topic itself.

What is your favorite way to learn something new, and what makes that method work best for you? 💡

#MightyMinute #CheckInWithMe #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Disability #RareDisease #MentalHealth #Anxiety #Autism #Parenting #PTSD #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #BipolarDisorder #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #EatingDisorders #Depression #Fibromyalgia #Lupus #MultipleSclerosis #Migraine #Spoonie

No matter what part of your life is affected, feeling stuck can be tough, especially when you don't know what's coming next or how to move forward. Learning how to identify when and why you're feeling stuck can be the first step to overcoming it.

Let's share our own experiences today. When was the last time you felt stuck? What emotions came up? How did you overcome it?

Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks felt stuck after realizing she had been putting too much time and energy into something that was draining her mental health. She’s learning that she doesn’t have to do everything for everyone and that it’s OK to set firmer boundaries while prioritizing her own needs.

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