Our first prompt is to write about our happy/safe space. It can be real or imagined. Describe it in as much detail as possible. Where is it? What is the weather like? What sounds do you hear? What do you do? Who is there with you? How does this place make you feel?
* I do this as my first prompt with clients, because I feel it is important as you are processing the trauma that you have a safe space to go to (real or virtual) when things get overwhelming. This helps to make that space concrete.
My happy place is near a body of water. Listening to the babbling of a brook or the crashing of waves in the ocean steadies my heartbeat. The tension is released, and I am able to relax and let go. I would lay in a comfortable hammock with the breeze gentling cooling me and read. With the birds singing softly in the background, I would escape into the story.
I would be alone, nobody to distract or interrupt. No one to have to explain myself to. No one to tell me I am "healing wrong." I would take comfort in the solitude. The only living creature besides the birds would be a cat nuzzling at my side, its purrs soothing my anxious body.
As I read, I would slowly drift into an easy slumber; my mind letting go of the hurt and the pain.
Where is your happy place?
I'm on the road driving home from school. Specifically, I'm on I-65 between Bowling Green, Kentucky and the Tennessee border. It's night time. Sometimes it's raining and sometimes it's not. Getting to Bowling Green is exhausting, but as soon as I'm past it my fatigue dissipates. I'm full of energy and excitement. I've got a stupid smile on my face, and my foot gets heavier on the gas pedal. I begin to sing whatever song is on the radio at the top of my lungs. The song changes every time I picture it. I can feel the air tickling my face from the AC. I can feel grip tighten on the steering wheel. My other is on the arm rest. I keep my eyes peeled for the "welcome sign" that isn't there. It's not important. Similarly, nobody is with me; that's not important either. Just the anticipation of seeing my family and friends is enough. Their faces flash in and out of my mind throughout this whole stretch of road. Especially my parents and grandparents. I have always appreciated the poetic act of literally leaving the bad memories behind me with good memories and good people ahead of me.
ReplyDeleteYour whole post is beautiful and poetic! I love it! You have an amazing way with words. Keep that happy place for whenever you are struggling and need to leave the bad behind!
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