Building a bridge

Visualizing a path to the future, gaining a clearer understanding of the current situation, setting goals, and developing a concrete action plan.

Duration: 150 minutes. Preparation and introduction: 10 minutes. Creating the first collage: 30 minutes. Creating the second collage: 20 minutes. Working on the bridge: 15 minutes. Pair work: 20 minutes. Writing: 40 minutes. Summary: 15 minutes.

Difficulty level: 3/5

Preparation

Three A3 sheets per participant, colored magazines, glue, scissors, markers or crayons.

Introduction

• To effectively plan your future and create your own story, it's important to first become aware of where you currently stand in key areas of your life.

• Invite participants to reflect on whether their current situation is comfortable for them:

  • If not, what would you like to change and how can you achieve it? Remember, everything is subject to change.

  • What change do you desire for yourself?

  • What actions can you take to increase your sense of agency and success?

  • Who or what can be your ally on this journey?

Instructions

• The first part of the exercise will be done individually, followed by working in pairs.

• Each participant receives three blank sheets of paper and art supplies. Their task is to create a collage that represents their current situation in different areas of life, including:

  • Health

  • Career

  • Personal development

  • Relationships

  • Family

  • Friends

  • Dreams 

  • Values

(For this part of the exercise allot 30 minutes.)

• Participants now create a second collage that represents their vision of themselves in the future. The prompt is "Me in 2 years" (or another timeframe they choose). They should focus on the same areas of their life, but imagine their ideal future. Encourage them to be creative, bold, and free from any limitations or self-criticism.

• In the next step, ask participants to create a bridge connecting their present to their future. Encourage them to visualise what kind of bridge it is—steel, wood, glass.  What are the spans of the bridge made of—what steps will they take to move from their present state to their desired future?

• Participants share their journey from the present to the future in pairs. They discuss the actions they plan to take in order to achieve their goals. Encourage participants to provide each other with positive and empowering feedback.

Wrap-up

Ask the participants how they felt about the process.

• Which part was the biggest challenge for them when creating the collages?

• How did it feel to share their story with someone and talk about their present situation, dreams, and plans?