This Story Reflection Art Prompt is an activity that you can use after sharing your story in a group or one-on-one setting. This is useful for Narrative Focused Trauma Care, EMDR, counseling, or any occasion after sharing a trauma narrative. Below is an example for reference.
The goal of this exercise
Create space for further engagement with yourself in the story.
Benefits
Allow what came up during your story time to sink in.
Deepen trust, compassion, and connection with your younger self.
Process through your right brain to help release trauma in your body.
Prep your environment
Get comfy, grab your supplies, and turn on some calming music. It may even help to find a photo of yourself from when this story happened. <3
Materials needed
Paper
Pencil
Coloring utensils
30 minutes
Story Reflection Art Prompt
Step One:
Re-read the story that you recently shared.
Highlight one symbol or object in your story that feels important.
What did little you need but didn't receive? (This can be an item, action, phrase, verse, etc.) It can also be something that someone said during your story time that meant a lot to you.
Step Two:
Sketch out the symbol or object that you chose with pencil. (It doesn't have to be perfect)
Somewhere on the page, incorporate the word, phrase, or action that you needed.
Step Three:
Using coloring utensils of your choice, color in the page.
*Note: This does not have to look good or be something to frame. It's more so a way to process your story differently that brings healing. I'd love to hear your feedbackin the comments below. What was this like for you?
2 comments on “Story Reflection Art Prompt”
I have begun to see my story from the outside. It took place inside my grandparents' house. I realized the house itself carries little color, no love. And the outdoors is full of safety, love, and color. I'm beginning to understand that I have always felt safer outdoors and felt God's love out in his creation. Through my life, the wounds seem to happen inside a building way more than outdoors.
What an amazing reflection on your story, Amy. It sounds like it was helpful to see how the outdoors has been a sanctuary to you. The beauty of nature has always been my safe place, too.
I have begun to see my story from the outside. It took place inside my grandparents' house. I realized the house itself carries little color, no love. And the outdoors is full of safety, love, and color. I'm beginning to understand that I have always felt safer outdoors and felt God's love out in his creation. Through my life, the wounds seem to happen inside a building way more than outdoors.
What an amazing reflection on your story, Amy. It sounds like it was helpful to see how the outdoors has been a sanctuary to you. The beauty of nature has always been my safe place, too.