This activity uses a basic form of questioning and may seem slightly strange when first engaging with it. However, it can be extremely beneficial to get a new and different perspective and force you to think differently.
The main principle of using items for self-awareness is choosing an item to represent you or something about you. The ‘items’ you use can include physical objects, characters, films, songs and other things – the main point is that the ‘thing’ needs some defining characteristics.
You can ask yourself many questions for this activity and each can help you learn something different about yourself.
Which items to use
There are two main ways of using items and other resources for reflection.
| Choosing from any item in a category | Choosing from a selection of items |
|---|---|
| Choosing to be relatively free in the range of items from which a reflector can choose means that the reflector can find something that works them, but it may seem overwhelming and hard to choose. This can be questions like:
| This can be fun as it will challenge reflectors to be creative with their choices, however some people might find it hard. The easiest way of making the range of choices smaller is having a set of items in front of the reflector that they must choose from. Another way is to ask the reflector to bring the item with them. Questions may look like
|
Starting questions
Questions tend to follow a pattern like ‘What [prescribed type or source of item] represents [area you want to explore]?
Below are some examples that can be mixed and matched.
| Type/source of item to choose from | Area you want to explore |
|---|---|
| Items from your room | the way I learn |
| Songs from your childhood | the way I solve problems |
| Blockbuster films | the way I feel |
| Set of images | the way I handle tough times |
| Colours | the progress of a particular project |
| Tools | how I celebrate successes |
| Things you find in an antique shop | the type of friend I am |
| Cars | the way I work in a team |
| Super heroes | how I deal with change |
Making sure your answers are reflective
The reflective process comes from thinking about the qualities of the item and your own qualities – you should be able to say why you chose that particular item.
When doing this activity the goal is to be as reflective as possible.
| Example | Choose a type of car to show how you solve problems |
|---|---|
| Reflective answer | A racing car, because when I get on track I’m very quick and dedicated and I will go as fast as I can until it’s solved. However, just like a racing car, I need a team around me to make sure that everything else (like the engine, or getting food) is functioning such that I can just focus on the problem. |
| Reflective answer | A four-wheel drive jeep, I might not be very fast when solving problems, but I can solve a range of challenges – just like being able to go into all types of terrain. Solutions may not look flashy, but they are dependable. |
| Non-reflective answer | A Ferrari, because I like them and would want one – they are fast. |