Skip to main content

Shredding Activity

Suggested Group(s): Middle/Teen/Adult

Purpose: To explore feelings including fear, anger, sadness and regret. To symbolically choose to either hold on to these feelings or to get rid of them.

Task/need: Moving toward the pain of the loss, developing a new self-identity, living on the grief spiral

Activity Setup Ideas:

  • Begin by talking about "letting go" and allow time for the group to discuss the subject. Talk about what this looks like for their given situation.
  • Ask the group if there are any situations that they would like to get rid of by allowing group members to write their responses onto paper.

Materials:

  • Paper, pens/pencils or markers
  • Clip Boards
  • Shredder

Description:  Introduce the activity by explaining that the Caring Place provides many opportunities for the children, teens and adults to express their grief. Some feelings can be hard to speak about and being able to write them down and then erase them can be a helpful exercise.

Give each group member a piece of paper and something to write with. Ask group if there is anything specific that they would like to "let go" by writing it on the paper. You may give examples of fears, regrets, etc.

Let each member know that they can either hold the fear/regret/feeling, or give them the opportunity to shred the paper. Be sure to allow plenty of time for the exercise. Explain that they don't have to say what they wrote but can tell the group if they wish. Continue on to each group member until all have been given a chance to keep or shred. Note: Allow for the opportunity for group members to hear the sound of their paper going through the shredder. The sound of the paper being shred can be very impactful and symbolic to members who are choosing to "let go" of something.

Activity Wrap Up Ideas: Ask the group to discuss how they feel. Discuss how it felt to have the fears and regrets shredded. What did if feel like to place the paper in the shredder? What did it feel like to hear the sound of the shredder? Did this move the group members toward letting go?

Ask the group what they would like to do with the shredded material. Example: Each person could have a different colored paper and the shreds could be placed in a clear glass vase.

Source: This activity was inspired by an exhibit on Love and Forgiveness held at the Pittsburgh's Children's Museum.

Press| FAQs| Careers