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Draw Your Inner Workspace “My Inner World Where I Find Peace”

Topic: School and Work

Emotional Intensity: LOW

Format: Supporting exercise

Source / Author: Toolkit authors; Adapted from art-based psychosocial and narrative resilience practices


Topic

School and Work

Also relevant for

Focus, Motivation, Emotional Regulation, Exam & Work Stress, Self-Efficacy

Objective (learning focus)

 To help participants visualize an internal “workspace” that supports focus, confidence, and calm in school, work, or learning environments, strengthening their ability to self-regulate under pressure.

Target group

 Youth (14–18) / Young adults (18–30)

Group size

 6–25 participants (can be adapted for individual work)

Timing

45–75 minutes (flexible)

Materials Needed

  • A4 or A3 paper

  • Markers, colored pencils, crayons

  • Optional collage materials

  • Optional neutral background music (with consent)


Step-by-step guide:

1. Framing the Exercise (10-15 min)

Facilitator introduction:

“Even when we are in noisy schools, stressful jobs, or unfamiliar learning environments, we can imagine a place inside ourselves where we feel focused, calm, and capable. Today, we will create an image of this inner workspace — a place you can mentally return to when things feel overwhelming.” Optional reflection prompts (no answers required):

  • When do you feel most focused or confident?

  • What kind of environment helps you concentrate?

  • What would help you feel a little more calm during exams, interviews, or workdays?

2. Creative Activity — “My Inner Workspace” (25–30 min)

Instructions to participants:

“Draw or create an image of your inner workspace.
It can be a real place or an imaginary one.
It can look like a room, a place in nature, or a symbolic space (for example: a lighthouse, a library, a workshop, a mountain).
There is no right or wrong way — this space is only for you.”

Guidelines:

  • Abstract and realistic drawings are both welcome

  • Focus on how you want to feel, not how it looks

  • Silence is allowed

3. Optional Writing Reflection (5–10 min)

Invite participants to write:

  • Name 3 things in your inner workspace that help you stay focused or hopeful

  • What does this space give you when learning or working feels hard?

4. Sharing & Meaning-Making (10–20 min)

Sharing is voluntary and can be done:

  • in pairs

  • in small groups

  • or not at all

Facilitator prompts:

  • What did you include in your inner workspace?

  • How does this space support you?

  • When could you “visit” this space in real life (before a test, interview, or busy day)?

5. Gentle Closure (5 min)

Grounding close:

“Close your eyes for a moment.
Imagine stepping into your inner workspace.
Notice how your body feels there.
You can return to this place anytime you need focus or calm.”


Expected outcomes (for participants)

– Increased sense of focus and inner stability
– Greater confidence in school or work situations
– A personalized mental tool for stress regulation
– Stronger connection between inner resources and daily challenges

Trauma-informed note

– Avoid performance pressure (“good” or “productive” spaces)
– No interpretation of drawings by others
– Emphasize choice, slowness, and safety
– Music only if it supports the group

Adaptation (context / intercultural / age)

– Suitable for participants with low language proficiency
– Can be shortened for school settings
– Can be done individually as a grounding exercise
– Younger participants may benefit from example images or prompts

Recommendations for facilitators

– Avoid “why” questions; use “how / what it gives”
– Normalize difficulty imagining a space — symbolic is enough
– Connect gently to real-life use (“before exams”, “during interviews”)
– Emphasize this as a mental place, not a fantasy escape

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