Holding on and letting go
We all have things we forget, even though they’re important to hold on to. And we also cling to things that aren’t really useful—things that might actually be better to let go of.
That’s what today’s therapy session is about.
And we’re doing it with big stones.
Lucky for us, we live near the tram tracks—so I picked up a bag of stones from there. Of course, I scrubbed them clean at home first before we paint or stick anything on them…
Everyone gets two stones:
– One to remind yourself of what’s inside you and what you want to hold on to.
– One to represent the things you’re holding on to but might be better off letting go.
The photos show some of the results—painted, written on, wrapped…
The darker colors often represent things that need to be let go of, while the lighter ones symbolize what’s worth holding on to. The group is encouraged to truly let go of what they need to release. Throw the stone away—in the woods, into a pond from a bridge, or anywhere else. That physical act of saying goodbye to the stone will have an impact inside.
One of the clients shares that she can’t let go of the dark stone.
“I know it’s not good for me. I know it doesn’t help me. But it’s mine.” As she says that, she holds the stone like a treasure in both hands. “I can’t let it go. I know exactly what it means to me and what it does to me. I’m not ready to let go—because what will take its place? I’ll put it on a shelf in my room. When I’m ready to let it go, I will.”
