Soul- Sweet Art Activity # 1
In this activity we will practice positive self-talk. Most people struggle with negative thoughts about themselves. These negative thoughts result in negative behavior, attitudes, words and emotions. To live a happier, peaceful and satisfying life we need positive thoughts in our mind.
Self-talk whether positive or negative is learned behavior so when it is negative it can be unlearned. Our self-talk results from the messages we have created or received throughout our life time. We can’t change the past but we can change the hold it has on us. We won’t be dealing with our past today, just the messages we play over and over again in our mind.
As we start this art project I want you to know that I am not a certified Art Therapist, I am a certified Life Coach. I do know that these types of activities are a fabulous and fun way to deepen your self-awareness, possibly discover what moves you and what keeps you stuck. The activities will always include a reminder of your value.
What we will do is:
Gently explore our inner world – possibly stirring up the stuff we don’t look at very often
Stimulate our creative juices
Relax and quiet our minds
Thus the name Soul-Sweet means that we will focus on activities that will sweeten your soul.
This will be a fun project involving one of my favorite pastimes cutting pictures out of magazines.
Our supply list for our Practicing Positive Self-talk activity:
Mixed media pad (or a thick piece of paper to use as the background of your piece)
Magazines to cut from or construction paper or scrap-booking paper
Glue stick
Pencil
Ruler
Scissors
Marker, pens or pencils in assorted colors
Note cards
NOTE: I suggest a Mixed Media Pad because it does handle different mediums quite well – glue, markers and paint. Also having a pad that you keep your Soul-Sweet Art Activities will become like a journal for you.
Also on my Facebook page Joy&Courage I have to video on how to make this.
STEP 1: PRACTICING POSITIVE SELF-TALK
In the middle of your pad or piece of paper draw a circle and put the capital letter I in the center.
STEP 2: PRACTICING POSITIVE SELF-TALK
Now get out your magazines and tear out pages that have colors/designs that appeal to you. You can replace the magazine pages with construction paper or scrap booking paper. A good source of old magazines are thrift stores or used book stores.
STEP 3: PRACTICING POSITIVE SELF-TALK
We are going to be cutting our pages into rays that surround our circle in the middle of our page.
We do this by
Cutting a fat strip of paper
Place the paper edge on the edge of the circle with a ruler draw a line on the magazine page that results in a “ray”. The edge on the circle is narrower than the end on the edge of the paper.
Cut it out
Glue it on the pad
Repeat this (leaving some space between each ray) until the circle is surrounded by rays.
STEP 4: PRACTICING POSITIVE SELF-TALK
On the note cards you will write words and phrases that are positive about yourself.
Ex. I …. Love to laugh (you don’t have to put the I on the card because it is in the middle of the circle)
Write the word or phrase on the lines of the card (we want slender and short pieces of paper)
Cut them out
Glue on the rays
Partially filled
All the rays will be filled with these statements.
This may not be as easy as it sounds, so I have made a list of examples of things you might write down about yourself.
I AM
Creative
Funny
Smart
Compassionate
Generous
Loyal
Joyful
Great salesperson
A foodie
Energetic
I LIKE
Gardening
Baking
Cooking
Designing….
Creating ….
Sports (what kinds)
Hunting
Hiking
Reading
Singing
Puzzles
Writing
Journaling
Volunteering
I AM GOOD AT
Playing an instrument (name it)
Organizing
Budgeting
Saving money
Making money
With children
With animals
Connecting with people
Networking
Long term friendships
Teaching
Decorating
Telling stories
Acting
I hope you enjoyed this activity. It is one you could do with children.
I would love to see your finished project! Post in on my Facebook page Joy&Courage.
Leave your picture in the comments.
I have several resources that pair with this activity nicely.
Blogs on
Soul-Sweet Art Project – Who is the real me?
Join my FACEBOOK page Joy&Courage to see the latest Soul-Sweet Activity and lots more encouraging words.
Blessings, Vicci