Explore the things that you really like and enjoy to boost your self-esteem!
What you’ll need: Paper, coloured pens and pencils.
What’s it for?
This activity focuses on the activities and hobbies that you enjoy and how these make you the person that you are. In thinking about your favourite things, this might prompt you to think about the people in your life who you care about and who contribute to you feeling positive.
Check In:
Notice how you’re feeling right now. Close your eyes and notice what’s going on inside your mind and body.
How are you feeling?
What are you thinking?
How does your body feel?
Method:
Draw around your left hand on one piece of paper and your right hand on another piece of paper allowing space around the hand if possible and place these side by side
Focus on your left hand and write down something that you really enjoy doing in each finger space
If you are finding it difficult to think of things you enjoy, perhaps you like seeing friends, baking or cooking a meal, listening to music, reading a book or playing with your brother or sister
If you can think of an activity for each finger and thumb that would be great - so 5 things in total!
Leaving the pieces of paper side by side connect a feeling with the activity that you enjoy
For example in the left hand thumb you might have written ‘going to the park’ and then in the right hand thumb put a feeling or thought associated with this so it could be ‘time with my family’ or ‘freedom to do what I want’ or ‘having some fresh air’ ‘happiness’
If you repeat this for every activity you enjoy and every finger until both hands are full
In the space around the hands write down the people who you like to share these favourite activities with
Now connect the hands together and absorb the information that you wrote down
Hold the hands whilst listening or singing to ‘This is Me’ from The Greatest Showman to think about each activity that you enjoy doing and this being unique to you!
Extra Activity:
If there is someone else in your household who wants to take part in this activity with you connect all the hands together in a big circle and compare them. Do you have any similar hobbies or activities that you like to do? Is there something new that you would like to do together?
When you’ve finished, spend a moment reflecting on the activity and ask yourself the following questions:
How did it feel to think specifically about your own preferences and positive activities?
Did you find it easy or hard to focus on what you enjoy doing?
Did you tend to think about other people when you thought about a favourite activity?
Conclusion:
This activity helps you to focus on what you enjoy doing and those around you who might be part of this. It supports your thinking around what positive feeling the activity brings up and how this can boost your confidence and self-esteem.
Take a moment to notice how you are feeling at the end of this activity. Did you discover anything surprising? What can you take away to make you feel better about yourself from this activity?
If you would like to, share something about your experience with this activity with someone you live with! Ask the person who looks after you to send us an email if you have any questions or comments about the activity, or would like to send us any pictures (info@catcorner.co.uk). Don't forget to subscribe for more fun CAT activities!
Created by Sarah Kong © April 2020
Creative Arts Used: Art
Psychological Areas Explored: Emotional Wellbeing, Self-Exploration
If you enjoyed this activity, you might also like:
These activities could be done by children of all ages, but some may need the support of their parent or carer to read the instructions or complete the activity safely.
This website was made by CAT Corner to help you explore your feelings through fun creative arts activities. The people using the website and the people responsible for them need to make sure they stay safe (full disclaimer on About page).