What's something you've improved this year?
Hello everyone!!! It's almost the end of 2016! This means, 2017 is coming!! It is a new year, new start, and a hopeful year.
At the turn of the year, let's take sometime to think about what are the things we did? Improvment? Positive news?
Every 10 things you list, then also think about what are 3 things we could do better in next year to make our life even better?
Remeber, everything little thing is important!! Let yourself you know that you are lovable! And how amazing that you've come to here!
Let's start with an example:
Things I did great~
Try to go to bed before 12:00 PM
Make new friends
Take new challenges
Make daily plans and try to follow the plans
Hang our on 7cups a lot
Now~ it's your turn :D <3
Positive things I've done in 2016:
1. Reached out to another person to talk any time I felt sad or anxious.
2. Started monitoring my mood again using Optimism app (x).
3. Ran and took walks in the woods during summer evenings to clear my thoughts.
4. Posted in the Depression Daily Check-ins (x).
5. Started reading books again.
6. Stayed honest and allowed myself to be vulnerable in various human interactions.
7. Tried new creative things, e.g. making origami and filming a movie.
8. Created happy memories being with my family and friends and put myself in situations where I met new people.
9. Was self-compassionate and forgive myself mistakes I made along the way.
10. Stayed vigilant and survived this year without any major relapse.
Things I can work on in the New Year:
1. Write more regularly in my journal.
2. Have a better sleep schedule - wake up at 8 or 9am.
3. Drink more water, because I'm chronically dehydrated.
@Celaeno, good for you! You accomplished a lot this past year. I definitely want to journal more this coming year. I may be changing up how I journal because I've recently started looking into and experimenting with art journals. This photo is of my first two. They don't have muchin them yet.
I just checked out that Optimism app. I like all of the different information you can log and that you can make other notes. I think I'm going to add that app to my routine. *dashes away for a minute and returns* Ha! Just paused commenting to add it to my Balanced app. 
Something else to check off and make me happy. 
And I've already gotten to cross it off once. *does happy dance*
@BridgetAileen, I love art journals! Would love to hear from you more about this - how are your working with them so far, if you have a favourite technique, anything ^^
For years now I have in fact two journals: one I use as my diary of my mental state and various ponderings + a second one is a bullet journal which organizes my time and tasks on the daily basis. And this one also serves me as my creative outlet for silly doodles. This system works pretty well for me and I can really recommend trying it out.
@Celaeno
Hooray! I knew there was a post I needed to answer. My browser froze before I answered, so I lost it.
I have kept written journals off and on for ages and ages...because I'm *old*. I've just started experimenting with art journaling, so I haven't done a lot. I've used colored pencils and pens to take notes and then decorated the page. Nothing fancy yet, just halos around the notes. I've used some acrylic paints to make some backgrounds, and they're now ready for something to go on them. Or more layers. Like I said, I'm just starting and playing around. I've done some pages on cardstock and glued them in. Done a simple spread with memes from the internet cut out and glued down with some of my thoughts around them. A couple of things on cardstock and glued in. Very, very simple, just to get myself started and put something on the blank pages. Otherwise, I'll keep procrastinating thinking that nothing will be good enough. I watch a lot of videos on YouTube and will be trying out some techniques from those as I go along. I love mixed media because I can use whatever strikes my fancy or use different markers, paints, pens, *and* pencils to get all the colors I want. I've never worked with acrylics before, so I'll need lots of practice with those. It looks so easy on YouTube.
Just getting something on the page. Playing around with making a very inexpensive journal with a composition notebook. I guess I'll get better at it. LOL!
Done in response to a prompt.
Playing around with some acrylics for a background. Needs more, I think. I could certainly do with some stencils.
@BridgetAileen Just came across this, Bridget, this looks awesome. And inspirational. Your spirit shines...beautifully.
@BurkeDevlin
You're going to make it difficult for me to get my head through the door, Burke. LOL!
Seriously though, thank you. 
I enjoy doing it. I'm much better with Copic markers, but I've been using those for mmmm...about 7 years. Give or take. After 7 years of mixed media, I think my work will look quite a bit different there, too. But it's all in the enjoyment.
@BridgetAileen You're welcome, seriously, it looks great. My daughter is getting really into art now. She probably knows what Copic markers are. 
She doesn't get it from my side, but she's got talent.
I totally get what you're saying, it must be really exciting watching your skills grow and seeing the results. One day I'd like to learn music.
@BurkeDevlin, Copic are alcohol based markers that are very frequently used by manga artists and architects as well as many others. They are absolutely beautiful to work with.
Here's a card a made for a friend's grandmother back in 2015. I use stamps...I certainly don't draw that well. LOL!
And here's something I did at Halloween some year or other. LOL!
As you can see, I'm much better with Copics; however, I've also had a lot more practice and lessons from a Copic certified instructor., so I should be better with Copics. I'm not the best in card designing, but I get by.
Now it seems as if a sharing-my-art monster has emerged. LOL!
@BridgetAileen Wow, you made those? I'm beyond impressed! You got skills, lady!
@BurkeDevlin
*squishes head back through the door...just barely*
Awwww, thanks. Yes, I made those. I colored them at any rate. I use stamps most of the time except for when I draw mandalas...something else I've been learning this last year. Now that I have more time on my hands, I can explore arts and crafts, and read more, and make sure I focus on self-care. Teaching doesn't leave much time for any of that.
And you mentioned music...maybe in the other thread...singing, playing, listening, all of the above? What are you interested in pursuing?
@BridgetAileen I've always wanted to sing and play guitar, in that order. My halting attempts to learn both have at least quashed the notion that I might be a one-in-a-million natural talent - and I've never had the discipline to keep working at it. I was in 1776 10-15 years ago and the music director told me I was a lousy singer (actually she made the producer tell it to me), so I got stashed in the chorus. Still had a fantastic time on the show, but those Broadway dreams went out the window.
It's one of those 'maybe somedays', ya know? We all need a few 'maybe somedays' to get us through the 'not todays'.
@Celaeno
Wow, Celaeno! It's awesome that you put lots of effort on self-caring during 2016! And yes, I a, sooooo happy to see you on the depression check-in thread everyday. :D I wish you conitnue achieving healthier life in 2017! And we are all here to support and cheer for you!!
@staywithyou, oh, thank you for the encouragment ^^ Wishing you all the best!
I have nothing positive, I am in a toxic relationship and my living situation is awful ! I am trying to make a change, but it will take a while, I don't know if I can hang in long enough, I don't want to let my anger take over and have no place to go. I really need to get a plan in place, I have had it , this lady doesn't care much for my kids , she tells then to shut up!
@jr50
HEY! I am really proud of you that you want to stay positive and make some plans. Sometimes it can be really hard to make a change, but we will be here with you. :D Please contniue trying, and share the positive energy in 7cups community! Best wish for you. :)
@staywithyou. Thank you for encouragement!
@jr50
You are welcome, and truely wish you a great day!!!
@staywithyou
I decided to work so much harder in school and focus on my needs as well as others. I decided to twake so much better care of myself as well :)
@PeachyPeach16
I am glad to hear you decide to take soooo much better of yourself!! It is such an important things to take care of yourself so you will have the energy to improve a lot at school too! Sounds like a great goal!!! Let everyone on 7cups support you and help take care of your feeling too!!! :D
