We had our fifth session of the Caretaker Art Group on Wednesday, which focused on defining and exploring boundaries. As the sessions go on, our time together just keeps getting better! Time spent together in sessions over the weeks has created safety and trust amongst the group, which allows members to be more honest and vulnerable in their sharing.  Rather than immediately diving into more complex topics without a sense of safety having been developed, I’ve been intentional about ordering session themes and activities so that they build in their level of introspection as the weeks progress.  Even with this in mind, I was nervous heading into last week’s session dealing with boundaries, because I knew it was a more sensitive topic for folks. Since this was the most psycho-education-heavy group session up to this point, I wanted to be intentional about making that information accessible and digestible.

The session was very successful and the group’s favorite so far. I first led the group through the Loving Kindness Meditation, which focuses our attention inward as we extend love, safety, and kindness to ourselves.   Then we extend the positive affirmations outward to a loved one, and finally extend it outward to our community.

We transitioned into a small discussion about boundaries in which I briefly defined what boundaries are and explained why they are important. I pointed out that having too many boundaries can close us off to true connection with others, while not having any boundaries can leave us unprotected, which makes it easier to get hurt and feel invalidated by others.  The discussion was insightful, and lots of members contributed to the conversation.

The discussion led us into our art activity, which explored our boundaries with those close to us through the metaphor of a geographical map. We drew ourselves as countries, then illustrated our country’s borders with each of our neighboring countries (representing friends, family, etc.).    We used such images as a brick wall surmounted with barbed wire, a fence with an open gate, a river with a sturdy bridge, a rocky mountain range, an open path, and a forest.

The group really seemed to enjoy this activity and got very creative with their boundary illustrations. Members vulnerably shared how this activity helped them realize that certain boundaries in their lives need to change. One member depicted her country with a brick wall all the way around it, save for a tiny opening with a little footprint leading out. She shared that this activity made her realize how she has been closing herself off to receiving support and love from this community. She recognized the tiny opening as representative of her desire to move towards opening up to others more. The group thanked her for sharing so vulnerably. While some members shared how they related to her, others affirmed and encouraged her in her endeavors to be more open to receiving support. It was really beautiful and moving to witness.

I’m looking forward to our next session and building upon the trust, vulnerability, and self-exploration that has been happening!   —Alex Shoemaker