selfcare

Monday mood, but make it food. 🍓🥔🍝

Because sometimes the easiest way to explain how you’re feeling is to ask:

What food are you today?

Today, I’m feeling like spaghetti. 🍝

A little tangled, a little all over the place, but somehow making it work. 😂

Maybe you’re mashed potatoes—soft, cozy, and needing comfort.

Maybe you’re watermelon—just trying to feel refreshed.

Maybe you’re garlic bread and simply here for the good things.

Whatever you are today, there’s no wrong answer.

So… what food are you feeling like today? 👇

#MentalHealth #Neurodiversity #selfcare #MightyTogether

“Have patience with all things, but first of all with yourself.”— Francis de Sales

The phrase, “be kind to yourself,” is something we hear all the time. It’s everywhere on socials, printed on coffee mugs, and offered as advice whenever someone is struggling.

Simple enough, right?

Then why is it so hard?

Something about myself I realized is that I’m a lot kinder to other people than I am to myself.

If I see a friend struggling or having a hard day, I will always remind them that they’re doing the best they can. I tell them that everyone makes mistakes, that tomorrow is another day, and that one setback doesn’t define them.

Yet when it’s me?

The conversation sounds completely different.

Somehow, compassion becomes much harder to find.

Have you ever noticed that?

A friend forgets something important.

“No worries, it happens.”

You forget something.

“How could I be so stupid?”

A loved one needs a break.

“They’ve been through a lot. They deserve to rest.”

You need a break.

“I haven’t earned it yet.”

The standards we set for ourselves are often impossible to meet, yet we somehow expect ourselves to meet them anyway.

I’ve never understood why we’re so willing to extend kindness to everyone else while treating ourselves like we’re the exception.

I’m incredibly hard on myself all the time. I’ll rethink of moments past that make me cringe with embarrassment. Sometimes, it’s just a quick thought that gives me the willies. Other times, it stays and lingers for hours, even days to come.

There are moments when I forget something important. Moments where I’ll publish something and immediately second-guess why I put it out there. Sometimes when care-giving, I feel completely guilty for being tired and wishing I had more energy. I somehow always turn something small into a reminder of every flaw I think I have.

I think that for a long time, I started believing that if I stopped criticizing myself, I’d become lazy. That if I wasn’t pushing myself, I’d stop growing. If I lowered my expectations, I’d settle.

But I’ve started thinking if the opposite is true.

How much energy do we spend fighting ourselves?

How many mistakes become bigger simply because we refuse to let them go?

It’s been a learning process for me. And one in which has been slow to grow from.

I’m learning that my value isn’t tied to how productive I was today. That resting isn’t the same as quitting.

It’s hard to fight the loud inner critic, but some days, I forgive myself.

There are some days when I take a break without feeling the guilt of it. There are times when I choose not to replay a situation over and over again because I’m trying to focus on the present moment.

I think that self-compassion isn’t about always knowing the right thing to say to yourself. It’s rather choosing not to believe every cruel thought that crosses your mind.

It’s reminding myself that I’m just as deserving of patience as the people I love most.

When was the last time you showed yourself the same patience you so easily give to someone else?

#MentalHealth #Selfcompassion #selfcare #Neurodiversity #Innercritic #MightyTogether

Your mental health matters. Pick a self-care activity that works for you.

#MentalHealth #selfcare

What comforts you most?

#MentalHealth #Neurodiversity #ADHD #Autism #Anxiety #selfcare #MightyPoets #MightyTogether

Ease your mind with the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique.

Name FIVE things you can see

Name FOUR things you can feel

Name THREE things you can hear

Name TWO things you can smell

Name ONE thing you can taste

This mindfulness tip uses your five senses to quiet your mind, reduce anxiety, and bring you back to the present moment.

Save this post or tag a friend who needs a reminder to breathe on those stressful days.

#MentalHealth #selfcare

Still learning. Still growing. Still trying. 🤍🦋

#MentalHealth #Neurodiversity #Depression #selfcare #Selflove #MightyTogether

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to embrace a slower lifestyle.

I used to get overwhelmed by all of the things that I thought I needed to do in order to live a successful life. I thought that I had to have it all figured out—career, relationships, financial stability.

But the truth is, I don’t.

And I’m learning that’s okay.

I don’t want to be so hard on myself anymore for not being where I thought I’d be in life. It’s too draining emotionally and mentally to always be doubting yourself and your abilities.

Instead of letting my mind control me, I want to start letting more positive energy flow through me.

This season of life is offering me an opportunity to see the beauty in the ordinary. An opportunity to live life at my own pace.

And deep down, that’s what I think I’ve always wanted all along.

Here are some of the things I want more of.

More Slow Mornings

I want mornings where I don’t wake up and feel like the day is already ruined.

More often than not, I’ll wake up and one small thing will spark some sort of emotion out of me. Usually, it’s irritation or frustration about something.

I want to change the attitude of my mornings.

Start slowly.

No immediate scrolling on my phone.

Enjoying my cup of coffee on the patio.

Getting some sunshine before it gets too hot.

Jokingly, I hear sunshine is supposed to give you energy.

I just want more time to wake up gently instead of immediately feeling behind.

More Little Joys

Picking up fresh flowers at the grocery store to liven up my living space.

Reading all of the books that I haven’t touched and finding new ones to escape into.

Summer sunsets.

My favorite meal after a long day.

Songs that instantly feel like comfort.

I’ve learned that happiness is truly hidden in the ordinary things, and I want to notice those moments more often.

More Meaningful Connections

I want more conversations that go beyond small talk.

I want more people I can fully be myself around.

More moments of feeling understood.

I think all of us have ups and downs in friendships and relationships.

But for me, I learned the hard way who is and who isn’t a stronghold in my life.

I’ve lost friends and partners whom I’ll most likely never speak to again.

And the strange part of it all is that I lost these friendships and relationships because I was just being myself.

With that comes a lot of heartache, grief, and feelings that you’re the problem.

And those feelings don’t just disappear no matter how much time has passed.

Those moments of losing people made me feel like everything I thought about myself was true.

I’m not smart.

I’m not likable.

I’m boring.

The list goes on.

When someone you cared for and adored tells you those things about yourself that you already secretly fear, it does damage.

So, I want to embrace the people in my life who chose to stick around and let me be myself free of judgment.

Friendships and relationships are very important to me, and I don’t want to waste my time on people who don’t see me and accept me for who I am.

More Creating Memories With the People I Love

I have a tight-knit friend circle.

I actually met most of them in middle school, and we’ve maintained close relationships to this day.

I’m so lucky and forever grateful to have friends in my life who love and support me.

All of us are actually going to Romania for our friend’s wedding.

This will be our first time out of the country together, and I can’t tell you how excited I am to make new memories that I just know will last a lifetime.

Whenever I’m with them, I’m happy just being in their presence.

Sure, my mind wanders, and I can get into an overthinking funk, but they truly see me and appreciate me for who I am.

And that means more than they probably realize.

More Comfort in Being Exactly Who I Am

For most of my life, I’ve never really felt comfortable in my own skin.

I always had low self-esteem and a lack of confidence.

I was really hard on myself because I couldn’t do things as easily as others could. And that struggle made me feel weak.

The truth is, I spent my whole life confused about who I really am.

But once I was diagnosed, things started to make sense and fall into place for me.

I gained a new perspective and a new understanding of myself.

It gave me hope, purpose, and answers.

I don’t want to constantly judge myself like I used to.

I don’t want to feel disconnected from myself or appease others by becoming someone different.

I just want to be comfortable with who I am.

And I’m slowly getting there.

My confidence has grown.

My self-esteem is getting higher.

I’m getting there, little by little.

More Celebrating How Far I’ve Come

I think it’s easy to focus on how far we still have to go.

The goals we haven’t reached yet.

The things we still want to change.

But lately, I’ve been trying to remind myself to look back, too.

I’ve survived things I once thought would break me.

I’ve learned so much about myself.

And I’ve grown in ways that I never, ever expected.

There are versions of me from years ago who would be very proud of the person I am today.

And I want to celebrate that more often.

More Gentleness With Myself

Perhaps more than anything, I want to be kinder to myself.

I want to stop expecting myself to function like everyone else.

I want to stop measuring my worth by productivity.

I want to stop feeling like I’m somehow behind.

I want to give myself the same understanding and compassion that I so easily offer other people.

I think this season of life is more about returning to myself and making room for the things that matter.

About creating a life that feels softer, slower, and more aligned with who I truly am.

What is one thing you want more of in this season of your life?

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”— Often attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson

#MentalHealth #Neurodiversity #ADHD #Autism #AutismSpectrum #selfcare #MightyTogether

Lately, I’ve been getting outside more.

Which sounds simple, but for me, it hasn’t always been that easy.

More often than not, there is something within me that sees even simple things as a hassle. If I go outside, that means I have to stop whatever it is that I’m doing and make time for it. And when I’m hyperfocused on work, writing, or a project, I rarely want to do that.

It’s strange how I tend to neglect the things that would probably help me the most. I’ve never really understood why I do that, especially when I know that once I actually get outside, I’m happy.

I feel lighter, more focused, and more motivated.

The problem is always getting there.

I’ve always been someone who loves being comfy at home. I don’t really like to go out if I don’t have to. I like being in my own space.

And my safe space just so happens to be my room.

I’ve usually got my fan going because I overheat easily, my TV on in the background, and my computer right in front of me.

What can I say? It’s my little bubble of happiness.

But I’ve also realized that when I stay in that comfort zone for too long, my energy drops, my motivation disappears, and my world starts to feel a little smaller.

The other day, I decided to take advantage of my townhouse’s pool.

I love swimming. It’s always been my favorite form of exercise. But somehow, being comfortable inside often keeps me from it.

As a caregiver, my mom wanted to get some movement and therapy in by doing a little swimming. And honestly, doing that requires a lot of energy from both of us.

This was our first attempt at getting her into the pool, and long story short, it was exhausting—mentally and physically.

But once things settled and I got her back inside, I decided to stay by the pool for a little while.

I brought my portable speaker, some ice water, and a hat because my face burns ridiculously easily.

And honestly?

Just lying there on the chaise lounge, listening to my music and feeling the warmth of the sun against my skin helped re-center me.

It was peaceful.

There were no racing thoughts. No anxiety. No pressure to be productive.

I was simply there.

And it made me realize that I want—and deserve—more moments like that.

Moments that make me feel alive.

I think we sometimes put too much pressure on self-care.

We think going outside means we need to go on a long walk, hike a trail, or do some intense workout.

I used to think that way.

But going outside can look like different things:

Drinking your coffee on the patio.

Sitting in the sunshine for ten minutes.

Reading a book outside.

Gardening.

Taking a slow walk.

Eating a meal outdoors.

Sitting by the pool and doing absolutely nothing.

Those moments count.

I think that for many neurodivergent people, life can feel like a constant stream of stimulation.

We’re dealing with noises, screens, responsibilities, and thoughts that never seem to slow down.

Creating moments of quiet and connection can really help us reset.

For me, I’ve learned that sunshine, fresh air, and slowing down help me feel more grounded. They help me reconnect with myself.

You don’t have to spend hours outside every day, either.

Sometimes five or ten minutes is enough.

Enough to step away from everything for a little while.

I’m learning that some of the most meaningful things are often the simplest.

Sometimes self-care is stepping outside.

Feeling the sun on your skin.

Taking a few deep breaths.

Doing absolutely nothing.

Just being there.

And honestly?

I think I need more of that.

What is one simple habit that helps you feel more like yourself?

#MentalHealth #selfcare #Neurodiversity #Anxiety #ADHD #Autism #Mindfulness #MightyTogether

Patience isn't passive; it's self-love in action.

#MentalHealth #selfcare