Helping young learners to foster a strong sense of self allows them to live more authentically and with compassionate understanding toward themselves and others.
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Expanding Compassion
The Real Me Tree
Expanding Compassion
The Real Me Tree
Did You Know?
What?
A creative exercise encouraging the participant(s) to reflect on who they are, where they come from and where they’re going.
Why?
Encouraging self-reflection helps participant(s) reveal their authentic selves and recognize that their realities change from moment to moment.
How?
Using the Real Me Tree Illustration or on a piece of paper, ask participant(s) to draw a tree with roots, a trunk, branches, and leaves. Begin by focusing on the roots of the tree. Ask participants to add words and statements that best describe their ‘roots.’ Use the following prompts:
- I was born…
- My first home was…
- My family includes…
- I remember…
- I enjoyed…
- I had difficulties with…
Move on to the ‘trunk’. Participant(s) focus on the present and where they currently see themselves.
- My core values are...
- I face stigma when…
- What gives me strength is…
- I I feel most grateful when...
- I am challenged when…
- I feel compassion when…
Lastly, focus on the ‘leaves’, and have the participants envision where they want to be in the future. Use the following prompts:
- I dream about…
- I hope to…
- I will help others by…
- I believe in…
- I want to advocate for…
- It matters that I am…
Once the activity has concluded, participant(s) share their experience using the suggested conversation starters as a jumping off point.
Conversation Starters
- What did you discover about yourself?
- It is important to practice self-compassion while witnessing our roots, trunk and leaves change. Share one affirmation that you can practice to boost feelings of confidence and self-compassion.
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