Self-care

One of the best things about joy is that we don’t have to keep it to ourselves! To wrap up this week’s theme, our challenge to you is to intentionally bring joy to someone else over the weekend, especially to someone who needs it.

Who will you choose? A friend, neighbor, family member, spouse, or another Mighty member? What will you do?

We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below! 💌

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

I've been reflecting lately on the goals and intentions I want to set for myself as the year continues. There have been a lot of shifts and changes in my daily routine since the beginning of the year, and as a result, some of my habits have had to change, too.

One habit I'd really like to improve is my time management. I want to use my time in a way that leaves me feeling less fatigued and less stressed about how little time I have for myself. I've realized that self-abandonment is a major trigger for my depression, so making space for my own needs has become increasingly important.

I also want to practice speaking to myself with more kindness about what I'm able to accomplish each week and how I define purpose in this season of my life. I'm not sure I'm where I want to be—or even if there's a specific place I need to "be" right now. Transition seasons often feel foggy and uncertain for me.

What about you? Is there a habit you'd like to change? What's one small step you can take toward that change?

#BipolarDepression #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #Schizophrenia #ADHD #Parenting #ChronicIllness #SchizoaffectiveDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Anxiety #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Depression #MentalHealth #Selfcare #EatingDisorders #CheckInWithMe #CheerMeOn

Who doesn't love a great song that can instantly raise your spirits? There's so many classics and feel-good songs that can get you in a dancing mood. 🎶

Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks likes "When I Grow Up" by NF and "Now That We Found Love ft Aaron Hall" by Heavy D & The Boyz.

Share your song recommendations in the comments below.🕺🎵

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

Albert Einstein once said, "Time flies when you’re having fun!" And that is so true, especially when it comes to the activities that bring us the most joy — the ones we get wrapped up into, willingly distracted by, and end up fully entertained.

What’s a hobby or interest that makes you lose track of time in the best of ways? (For Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks , that's definitely writing and creating various graphic designs on Canva. She can get so absorbed in her personal projects that she doesn’t even realize hours have passed!)

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

A new week, a new theme, Mighties! 💪

This week we'll be focusing on joy. 😊

To get us started, let's think of three words or phrases that come to mind when we hear the word joy.

Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks says the three words and phrases that come up for her are "a bright, sunny day," "worry-free," and "love."

What's yours?

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

Sibling & Adult Children virtual and in person support group is for siblings or adult children of individuals with mental illness. This group provides opportunities to share valuable coping strategies and practical information that helps you support your loved ones experiencing mental health challenges.

💻 If you'd like more information or would like to join, you can find the link here. Virtual groups are every 4th Thursdays 6PM – 7:30PM Eastern Standard Time. Closed captioning is available:
naminycmetro.org/programs/sibling-and-adult-child

🗺️ If you are in the New York City area, in person groups are every 1st Wednesday, 4:30 PM – 6 PM Eastern Standard Time at the NAMI-NYC office. Check the link above for more information. ⬆️

If you have any questions, feel free to comment below!

#BipolarDepression #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #Schizophrenia #ADHD #ChronicIllness #SchizoaffectiveDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Anxiety #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Depression #MentalHealth #Selfcare #EatingDisorders #CheckInWithMe

As some of you may have noticed, I have been taking a break from The Mighty over the past few months. The reason for this was that, after years of living in a home that was entirely unsuitable, even dangerous, due to my health and mobility needs - which had triggered severe depression and anxiety - I was finally able to move into a home that is fully wheelchair adapted and beyond anything I could have imagined. As much as this move has changed my life in so many ways, it also revealed the full extent of my social anxiety and just how much depression and anxiety had affected me. I felt it was important for me to take some time to work on myself and it helped me to rediscovered someone I thought I wouldn’t see again – ME! I have rediscovered parts of myself that I thought were gone for good, and it has been wonderful. And what has been even more amazing is that rediscovering myself has led to me accepting myself for who I am, which in turn has helped me feel more accepted by others. 💪🏻🤗💝
#Selfcare #MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #SocialAnxiety #GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder #CheerMeOn #FunctionalNeurologicalDisorder #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #MightyTogether #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #Disability #DepressiveDisorders

Let’s broaden our horizons this weekend by trying something new or different. This can look like checking out a new restaurant, trying white noise to help you sleep, traversing a new trail, or starting a new art or craft project! Whatever you want to try, give it a go over the next few days.

What do you want to try?

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

For me, living with mental health conditions has been challenging in many ways. One of the more subtle—but surprisingly difficult—challenges has been answering the simple question, "How are you?"

Being part of different mental health communities has given me the courage to be more honest with myself and with others. At the same time, it's made it harder to give the automatic "I'm fine" response when that's not how I actually feel.

If I'm having a difficult day, I usually try to be honest about it. But I've learned that this approach can sometimes make others uncomfortable, especially if they don't understand that my mental health conditions are chronic. My symptoms aren't something that only show up during a crisis or after something traumatic—they're a regular part of my life.

There have even been times when I've distanced myself from people because I worried that my honesty about not feeling well over a long period of time would make them uncomfortable.

Can anyone else relate?

How do you usually respond when someone asks, "How are you?" Does that question ever feel uncomfortable for you? Has your answer changed over time?

#BipolarDepression #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #Schizophrenia #ADHD #Parenting #ChronicIllness #SchizoaffectiveDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Anxiety #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Depression #MentalHealth #Selfcare #EatingDisorders #CheckInWithMe #CheerMeOn

It's the last day of July, Mighties! How was the month for you? Let’s check in and reflect on our mood-tracking experiences. 🌳

What were some trends or patterns you saw come up? Have you learned anything new, reassuring, or interesting about yourself in the process of mood tracking this month? Is there anything you would like to improve or work on moving forward?

💡 Bonus: Feel free to also comment the color(s) that best represents your mood today as well. 🎖️

💚 Green: Open-minded, creative, reflective
🔵 Blue: Calm, relaxed, confident
💜 Purple: Happy, excited, grateful
⬛ Black: Angry, annoyed, frustrated
🟧 Orange: Stressed, overwhelmed
🟫 Brown: Tired, exhausted, drained
🟨 Yellow: Depressed, stuck, melancholy
❤️ Red: Anxious, alert, concerned, worried
⚪ White: Not sure if I can put my mood into words.
🌈 Rainbow: Other (share in the comments!)

#MightyMoodTracking #CheckInWithMe #Selfcare #MentalHealth #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #Disability #Autism #Fibromyalgia #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Depression #Anxiety #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Migraine #MultipleSclerosis
#CheerMeOn