Take a deep breath, and as you exhale, consider an aspect of yourself you wish to embrace more fully. What possibilities would open if you could develop this part of yourself.
Through my roles as a coach, facilitator, and performer, I have discovered the transformative power of acting and improvisation in affecting change.
If you're shy and want to be more sociable, start with visualization. Imagine the conversations you would have, the people you would interact with, and the scenarios you would encounter. Contemplate the challenges you face. What are the risks of being more outgoing? Reflect on the times you've been outgoing and the patterns you've noticed over time.
Taking small steps to explore parts of yourself might not be as big a stretch as it seems. Consider how you act around your family, when interacting with your children, friends, or at a party. Your speech, actions, and presence may vary depending on the people you're with, the situation or the setting.
Embracing aspects of yourself can be a playful and fun way to explore one's inner potential. Children delight in dressing up, playing, and taking on various characters. They freely express different parts of themselves -- wearing cat ears, tutus, or superhero capes, fully embodying their new persona for the day. Why should they be the only ones having fun. Perhaps it's necessary for us to put aside our thinking minds and embrace curiosity and exploration, taking the lead from children and their uninhibited spirit. Engaging in this present, playful state sparks creativity and leads to new insights.
I support clients to engage in this mindset. One way to get started is to write down those parts of you that you want to expand on. Then choose one or two that you want to grow. What would you say, how would you sound, how would you move, what would you wear. From there, take a small step to try this part on -- practice talking to someone who you feel comfortable with. Try wearing a new, bold color, practice using different language. If you can imagine it, you can do it.
Through my experience what I know is that it is a process. And it is one worth trying. Play and improvisation is expressive, fun, and a great way to connect with self and others. Many adults are hesitant because they don't want to look silly or make a mistake. There are no mistakes when you do something creative - it is an expression of you.
We all are multidimensional, which is beautiful. This process of acting as if will lead to new discoveries and insights. If journaling is something you like to do, write down your experience. Notice what emotions come up, how you felt when you said yes and took that first step. Through the creative arts you express yourself in a different way. It is powerful and transformative. To find out more, I will be offering an online talk and experience on Sunday, September 22, from 7:30-8:30, so you can try acting as if for yourself. Send your e-mail to soulskycoaching@gmail.com to receive the details and link.
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