Self-care

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 #AutismSpectrumDisorder #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

Sometimes, believing two things can be true at the same time is difficult. But this thought was really encouraging and challenges Black and White thinking.
I hope it's helpful to you today.

Also, tell us three things in the comments 👇 that you're thankful for!

#Addiction #AnorexiaNervosa #Anxiety #Agoraphobia #AutismSpectrumDisorder #ADHD #BingeEatingDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #BipolarDepression #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #CeliacDisease #Depression #Epilepsy #KidneyDisease #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Cancers #Grief #Lupus #HemiplegicMigraine #SensoryProcessingDisorder #ChildLoss #AutonomicDysfunction #POTS #PTSD #Trauma #Hemophilia #SjogrensSyndrome #RestlessLegsSyndrome #BackPain #Endometriosis #InterstitialCystitis #HearingLoss #Deafness #SuicidalThoughts #Selfcare #Selfharm #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #jointhypermobility #IrritableBowelSyndromeIBS

👍 Pro: Trying new things can put us in positions to learn and grow our perspectives and skills.
👎 Con: It can also be intimidating, especially when we might not know what to expect or when there’s a possibility for setback or failure.

Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks finds that she holds herself back from trying new things because she’s afraid she might not do a good job in learning or understanding what she needs to be good at in the first place.

What do you think holds you back from trying new things? (P.S. Trial and error is a normal part of life, not everyone succeeds at everything!)

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

When we put ourselves out there and broaden our horizons, we’re allowing our curiosity to take the lead (that can be scary, but rewarding!). This can look like: learning a new language, trying a different type of art or cuisine, taking a chance on an entirely new career path, or dabbling with a new-to-us movement or exercise.

What topics, skills, or hobbies spark your curiosity? What interests you most?

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

Sometimes, what's growing around us is what's keeping us from making progress.
Can you look around today and identify a habit, relationship, friendship, media we are consuming, or thought patterns that are hurtful?
#AutismSpectrumDisorder #ADHD #Anxiety #Agoraphobia #ADHD #BingeEatingDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #BipolarDepression #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #CeliacDisease #Depression #Epilepsy #EatingDisorder #KidneyDisease #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Cancers #Grief #Lupus #Migraine #SensoryProcessingDisorder #ChildLoss #POTS #PTSD #Trauma #Suicide #Schizophrenia #SjogrensSyndrome #RestlessLegsSyndrome #Endometriosis #InterstitialCystitis #HearingLoss #Deafness #SuicidalThoughts #Selfcare #Selfharm #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #JointHypermobilitySyndrome