<aside> 💡 “This week may find you dealing with unaccustomed bursts of energy and sharp peaks of anger, joy, and grief. You are coming into your power as the illusory hold of your previously accepted limits is shaken. You will be asked to consciously experiment with spiritual open-mindedness.”

</aside>

  1. Exercise 1, Morning Pages: Check off the days you’ve done morning pages.

  2. Exercise 2, Artist Date:

    Details of Date:

  3. Exercise 3, Detective Work: Allow yourself to free-associate for a sentence or so with each phrase.

    1. My favorite childhood toy was …
    2. My favorite childhood game was …
    3. The best movie I ever saw as a kid was …
    4. I don’t do it much but I enjoy …
    5. If i could lighten up a little, I’d let myself …
    6. If i weren’t too late, I’d …
    7. My favorite musical instrument is …
    8. The amount of money I spend on treating myself to entertainment each month is …
    9. If I weren’t so stingy with my artist, I’d buy him/ her …
    10. Taking time out for myself is …
    11. I am afraid that if I start dreaming …
    12. I secretly enjoy reading …
    13. If I had had a perfect childhood I’d have grown up to be …
    14. If it didn’t sound so crazy, I’d write or make a …
    15. My parents think artists are …
    16. My God thinks artists are …
    17. What makes me feel weird about this recovery is …
    18. Learning to trust myself is probably …
    19. My most cheer-me-up music is …
    20. My favorite way to dress is …

  4. Exercise 4: Describe your childhood room. If you wish, you may sketch this room. What was your favorite thing about it? What’s your favorite thing about your room right now? Nothing? Well, get something you link in there—maybe something from that old childhood room.

  5. Exercise 5: Describe five traits you like in yourself as a child.

  6. Exercise 6: List five childhood accomplishments, (straight A’s, trained the dog, punched out the class bully, etc.) and a treat: list five favorite childhood foods. Buy yourself one of them this week. Yes, Jell-O with bananas is okay.

    Childhood accomplishments:

    My fav childhood foods:

  7. Exercise 7, Habits: Take a look at your habits. Many of them may interfere with your self-nurturing and cause shame. Some of the oddest things are self destructive. Some rotten habits are obvious. List three obvious rotten habits. What’s the payoff in continuing them?

    Some rotten habits are more subtle. List three of your subtle foes. What use do these forms of sabotage have? Be specific.

  8. Exercise 8: Make a list of friends who nurture you—that’s nurture, not enable., There is a big difference between being helped and being treated as though we are helpless. List three nurturing friends. Which of their traits, particularly, serve you well?

  9. Exercise 9: Call a friend who treats you like you are a really good and bright person who can accomplish things. Part of your recovery is reaching our for support. This support will be critical as you undertake new risks.

  10. Exercise 10, Inner Compass: Each of us has an inner compass. This instinct that points us toward health. It warns us when we are on dangerous ground, and it tells us when something is safe and good for us. Morning pages are one way to contact it. This week, take an hour to follow your inner compass by doing an artist-brain activity and listening to what insights bubble up