This blog post is based on an art therapy exercise I used to do with women’s groups when I was a therapist. So, if you are so inclined, feel free to get out some paper and draw your answers – and yes, stick figures are fine! You could also journal your answers, or just talk it through with yourself or a friend.
- Where am I now? This is where you evaluate your current life situation and personal satisfaction with it. Review all areas of your life – personal (spiritual/emotional,) family, friends, social life, self care (diet, exercise,) work or retirement, goals and anything else you can think of. How satisfied are you with where you are right now? There may be several areas where things are great, but also a couple that are not so satisfying.
- Where do I want to go? In the areas where life is not so satisfying, where do you want to go? Take a minute to visualize this. Do you have some spiritual work to do? Need more friends? Better family relationships? Think this through and get really clear on where you want to go. If you want to work on a couple areas of your life, it might be helpful to do this for each one.
- What’s stopping me? What is blocking you from this ideal life you would love? Good chance there are some limiting beliefs going on. I’m too old – it’s too late – I don’t have the time/energy/resources… the list goes on. What are you telling yourself about where you want to go? We all have our favorite reasons.
- What am I going to do about it? Maybe you need to do some reading/research. Maybe you need to journal your way through this. Maybe you need to talk to a trusted friend. Maybe you need to start meditating. Maybe you need to nurture yourself. Maybe you need to make some changes in your self talk. Trying to let go of limiting beliefs can be a challenge. Maybe you need some help just knowing what to do first. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know!