Dissolving Paper Messages
Suggested Group(s): Middle/Teen
Purpose: To explore the feelings of fear and regret. To symbolically choose to hold on to or get rid of fears and/or regrets
Task/need: Approaching the pain of the loss, living on the grief spiral
Activity Setup Ideas:
- Begin talking about fears or regrets that group members may have. Talk about what they may wish to do with them.
- Ask if they could get rid of them would they?
Materials:
- Decorative bowl or other container
- Water
- Dissolving paper
- Pens or pencils (markers will make the water cloudy)
- Stirring utensil (e.g. chopstick or other long stick like item)
Description: Give each member a rectangle of the dissolving paper and a pen or pencil with which to write. Have the individuals think of a fear or regret that he/she may have and write it down on the paper. Let the group members know that they can choose to hold that fear/regret or let it go in the water. If the person is willing to let go of what is on the paper, have her/him place it in the water one by one and stir the water. The paper will quickly disintegrate giving the impression of disappearing. Continue on to each group member until all who have chosen have taken part.
Activity Wrap Up Ideas: Discuss how it felt to have the fears and regrets dissolve. Does this move the group members towards letting go? If a group member did not take part, what feelings does he/she have? What should be done with the water that holds all of the fear and regret?
Note: Be sure to ask staff to order the dissolving paper 2 weeks in advance of the project to assure that it will be available for the intended group night.
