Self-care

Sometimes we just need to hear some happy stories, so let’s share a few of the positive experiences we’ve had when it comes to reaching out for help and actually receiving it.

Following an unpleasant experience in college, Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks started therapy in 2019 after not seeking help for her mental health for over three years. She was really happy she made the step to ask for help because she then found a really kind and empathetic therapist in return!

Note: It’s totally OK if you feel you haven’t received the help you deserve and needed in the past. We’re here with you and extend our support in any capacity we can. 🌟

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

When someone asks, “How are you?” our knee-jerk response is often, “I’m fine” or “I’m good,” even when that’s not the full truth. I know for me, there are times when I don’t feel well for weeks at a time, so when someone asks how I’m doing, I sometimes feel guilty being honest — even though I want to share how I’m really feeling.

Today, we want to know how you’re really feeling. Share with us in the comments below.

💌 Sending extra love and energy to the Mighties who need it right now.

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

It’s the last day of October, Mighties! Let’s take a moment to check in and reflect on the month. 🗓️

What trends or patterns did you notice? Did you learn anything new, reassuring, or interesting about yourself through mood tracking this month? Was there something that worked well for you, or something you’d like to improve or focus on moving forward? What memorable moments stood out?

💡 Bonus: Share the color(s) that best represent your mood today as well. 🎖️

🟪 Purple: Empathetic, caring
🟩 Green: Open-minded, creative, reflective
🟦 Blue: Calm, relaxed, confident
⚫ Black: Bored, annoyed, restless
🧡 Orange: Stressed, overwhelmed
🟫 Brown: Tired, exhausted, drained
🟥 Red: Anxious, alert, concerned, worried
🟨 Yellow: Depressed, unhappy, 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

Plants bring me peace and joy and help calm my anxiety or wake me up from a depressive episode. They are also amazing air purifiers and help the air quality in my home.

I have found them to be a good thing to take care of while managing my chronic illnesses because they don’t need much attention and can be left for a week or even two without dying.

I can enjoy them on flare days and care for them on good days. My goal is to have my house look and feel like a jungle. I have been training this vine to go up and I plan to grow it out onto the ceiling! 🪴🌱🪴
#MentalHealth #Anxiety #Depression #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #HypermobilitySyndrome #DistractMe #Selfcare

In the poll we asked earlier in the week, 58% of the group said that you ask for help sometimes but would rather do things on your own and 25% said that you only ask for help when it's an emergency, so we’re curious what your experience is when helping others. Do you find it easier? How come?

P.S. We’ve heard so many community members share that they enjoy helping out those around them, especially those on The Mighty who are struggling. We applaud and commend all who have made The Mighty what it is today.🏅

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

For some, reaching out for help and support can be really challenging and even exhausting sometimes, especially if they're used to relying on only themselves. We totally get that!

What advice would you give to someone who experiences that challenge, but wants to seek support from others?

Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks shared that it took her years to ask for help and found it really challenging to open up to others. Although it took her awhile, practicing smaller gestures — like asking her mom for water when anxious or to go on a walk with her — allowed Nina to gather up the courage that made asking for support a more regular habit.

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

Asking for help is not always easy, and can be especially challenging for those of us who have had traumatic, negative, mixed, or empty results in the past.

What area of your life would you say is the hardest for you to ask others for help? Do you have areas that are easier?

Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks says the hardest area of her life is with her finances or with money in general, and the easiest is with her mental health.

👏 P.S. You are definitely not alone! Know that your experiences are valid and you deserve and are worthy of seeking the help you need.

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

Let’s get right to it: Managing the symptoms of a health condition (or three of them! or five!) in the moment can be really tough. But on other days, when our symptoms slowly simmer or start out as just a whisper, they’re a bit easier to anticipate and get on top of.

On your more accessible or gentle days, are you able to get ahead of your symptoms before they spiral?

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

Seeing a counselor, therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist is one of many paths you can take when seeking support for your mental health. For me, searching for a therapist was my first step—even before I fully understood what kind of help I needed or how long I’d need it. I remember going on the Psychology Today website and exploring different options. Since I was the first in my immediate family to seek this type of help, I didn’t really know what to look for or what to consider in a therapist.

Fast forward six years later: I’ve found one-on-one therapy to be really helpful, especially since the focus is entirely on me. Therapy has been the one place where I can be vulnerable and open up without worrying about taking care of everyone and everything else around me.

What about you? Have you tried therapy or counseling? What have been the pros and cons for you?

Feel free to share your insights, advice, tips, and experiences below!

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