Prompts for cultivating creativity and resilience. For therapists (and other humans).
Use the Listening Inward Prompts to take some time for yourself, make space to breath, connect with yourself, and nurture your creativity and resilience.
If you’re already familiar with the Listening Inward Prompts, scroll down to get started!
About Listening Inward Prompts.
These prompts are designed with therapists in mind, but they can be used by anyone who finds them helpful. Therapists may choose to offer them to clients if they feel useful in clinical work.
You might bring one or two of these prompts into your morning practice, an evening wind-down, or play with them during your day between sessions. See if you can let them be an easy resource to support you.
You can use these prompts in any way that you like. They are for you!
If a journaling prompt encourages movement, go for it. If a movement prompt inspires you break out the art supplies, that’s terrific. If you’d rather write than make art, follow your own wisdom. And if you want to simply sit with any of the prompts and be curious, that’s a lovely way to explore and reflect.
No writing, movement or art experience needed. For art/creative expression prompts you can use materials as simple as pen and paper or as fancy special paints or other materials. A few markers, your kids’ crayons – all good.
Tending to Your Reserves
I am low on energy right now. I am tired and a little behind on sleep. But I am satisfied and relaxed. I am enjoying the sound of the birds and the beautiful breeze coming in the window. My neck is tight. It’s calling for my attention, but it’s not screaming at me. My “body battery” has sufficient life left for the day, but I want to be careful what I use it for.
I used up a bunch of juice on a big project this week. But I also paced myself and let go of other tasks and responsibilities. I prioritized being outside and walking, getting good food in my body, and connecting with my daughter. We cooked some great meals this week, but we also ate ice cream for dinner one night. Ate it and enjoyed it!
I have some great habits that cultivate my well-being, and I have others that deplete my reserves more than necessary. Sometimes I choose depleting actions rather than replenishing ones, and I am interested in improving my ability to nourish myself – physically, emotionally, relationally, spiritually.
If you relate to this, here are some prompts to support you in developing how you manage your resources.
Prompts
Journal Prompt
Take a moment to check in with yourself. Bring some curiosity and kindness as you reflect on the state of your reserves.
- What’s the current state of your reserves—energy, emotional capacity, time, patience?
- If each of these had a meter or visual gauge, what would they show right now?
- What areas feel full, which feel depleted, which have a little left to give but need attention?
- What restores your reserves? What depletes them?
Movement Prompt
Bring your awareness to your center—your heart, your core, your belly, your pelvis. Put a hand on your heart or belly if you like.
- What is the state of your body right now? More resourced or more empty?
- What does your body need right now?
- Begin to move in ways that that feel good to you – maybe it’s small gentle movement, maybe it’s larger energetic movement. Maybe you want to stretch or lie down, maybe you want a dance party.
- Let yourself move with care for yourself and in ways that will feel restorative.
Art / Creative Expression Prompt
Draw an image of your reserves (energy, emotional capacity, space, creativity, ability to be curious, etc.)
- This could be a container, a landscape, a symbol—whatever naturally comes to you.
- Add color, texture, shapes that represent depletion, resources, or fullness.
- Once the image is done, look at it and get curious about what it reveals.
- Are there ways you can modify the image so that it is more full of resources?
- What does it feel like to picture feeling that you had more reserves available?
Bonus for Therapists
As therapists, you might choose to approach these prompts in relation to your clinical work. You can keep the following questions in mind:
- What helps you track your own reserves during your clinical work?
- What signs let you know you’re nearing depletion—emotionally, physically, energetically?
- What boundaries or choices support you in preserving and restoring your capacity?
I’d love for you to comment or join in the chat. Feel free to share your own responses, reflections or art. I’d love to hear what resonates.