Self-care

I’ve been reflecting a lot on what I need from myself at this point in my life, and on the emotions, symptoms, and overall challenges that have been taking center stage in my mind and day-to-day experience. In a post I shared last week about shame (you can find it here: No Shame ), I talked about how shame has impacted my sense of hope. I’m also noticing how it has shaped my avoidant tendencies, isolation, and depression.

I want to put myself out there more—but in ways that feel safe. I want to better understand what safety feels like and learn how to create that sense of safety within myself, so the outside world doesn’t feel quite as scary.

What’s an emotion or symptom you want to cope with better? What are some steps you can take to begin that process?

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

Dory in Pixar's "Finding Nemo'' famously embraced the phrase "just keep swimming”; while Timon and Pumbaa in Disney's "Lion King" repeatedly sang "Hakuna Matata" (which means no worries, of course). Both are memorable phrases and mottos that remind us it's possible to keep moving forward.

What mottos or truths do you go by that help you keep going?

Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks said her motto is to remember that "it's OK to always be gentle with herself and her journey."

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

Its that time of the week again, Mighties! Tell me three things 👇 below in the comments that you're thankful for! It can be something big, something small- it all counts.
#Addiction #MentalHealth #Agoraphobia #Anxiety #AnorexiaNervosa #AutismSpectrum #ADHD #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #BipolarDepression #MentalHealth #PTSD #Schizophrenia #Lupus #AutonomicDysfunction #SjogrensSyndrome #Cancers #SuicidalThoughts #Selfharm #Selfcare #Cancers

What's a self-care challenge without writing a list, right? Today, let’s each write down the 10 words we would use to describe ourselves. They could be personality traits, admirable qualities, really important hobbies, or health conditions that feel integral to your identity.

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

You are going to do a lot of things wrong. What matters is what you do next. ❤️ #Addiction #AnorexiaNervosa #Agoraphobia #AutismSpectrumDisorder #ADHD #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #BipolarDepression #MentalHealth #PTSD #Schizophrenia #Lupus #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #CeliacDisease #Grief #Migraine #POTS #Stroke #Cancers #SuicidalThoughts #Selfharm #Selfcare

Let’s imagine a world where every new person you meet — who you have the desire to build some sort of lasting connection with — receives a “starter pack” to get to know you better right out of the gate… no conversation needed.

What important items, words, or ideas would you find most helpful so others could understand you better?

Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks shared that she would add a comfy pillow, a journal with reflection prompts, the word "free" and "peace," tea bags, a cup full of affirmations, a picture of the ocean, crystals, and the books she's reading right now.

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

Happy Monday, Mighties!

New week, new self-care theme: identity. Let's start off this week's challenge with a get-to-know-you exercise. 😊

In the comments below, share a little bit about yourself and why you joined The Mighty. 💖

Here is Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks Mighty intro:

Hi! My name is Nina. I'm a mental health advocate, creative, and I love to write and reflect, especially on my blog where I share my mental health journey. I'm the community manager and lead content creator here on The Mighty. I joined The Mighty back in 2016/2017 after I graduated college and was struggling to manage my depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The Mighty not only helped me to find my voice, but it also helped me find a community of support when I felt most alone and I'm tremendously grateful.

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

Can you believe it, Mighties!? January is almost checked off our 2026 calendars already. It’s about that time for us to check in and reflect on our mood tracking experience this month. 🙂

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
💜 Purple: Happy, excited, grateful
💙 Blue: Calm, relaxed, confident
❤️ Red: Anxious, alert, concerned, worried
🖤 Black: Angry, annoyed, frustrated
🤎 Brown: Tired, exhausted, drained
🧡 Orange: Stressed, overwhelmed
💛 Yellow: Depressed, stuck, melancholy
⚪️ 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

Can you believe it, Mighties?! We’ve already gotten through the first month of the new year—time is really flying.

Let’s end this week’s self-care reflection theme with something memorable that’s happened for each of us so far in January.

Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks had a really rough start to the year, but she’s proud of herself for staying true to her recovery and continuing to share her creativity, story, and vulnerability here on The Mighty and in other community spaces. 🕊️

What about you?

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

Mighties, let's reflect and share some impactful experiences we wouldn't mind reliving.

Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks says she wouldn't mind reliving when she hosted her first mental health open mic event. She was so proud of herself!

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