Questions to reflect upon while walking
(How and where) do you experience acceleration in your own life? What kind of feelings go along with that process? Have you ever decelerated in order to better accelerate afterwards?
Are we object or subject of this process?
How do you think this phenomenon is related to growth?
Where you feel the need to develop yourself?
(Where) do you experience the feeling of not being allowed to remain steady?
What does it mean for your actions, feelings and thoughts?
When have we grown enough?
Would you like to live a decelerated life?
The vertical plan analysis is a diagnostical tool that is used in psychotherapy to assess the needs of clients in relationships. Plans are seen as an expression of different motivational schemes.
Note: This is a modified and extremely brief version, it differs from the original idea!
Think of a situation in which you had the feeling of being in shortage of time. The I-must-have-list might give you ideas for such situations. Note: It is important that you think of a specific situation.
Please remember to formulate everything in command form! It might seem strange at first, but it will help you to not lose the focus.
1. Chose a sample behavior. What thoughts accompany the behavior? What feelings are present in that moment? In which situations is this schema activated?
2. Formulate a sub-goal. What emotions and impulses are triggered? What is achieved by behaving that way?
3. Formulate an overall goal. What self-representation can be derived from the behavior?
4. Formulate a "plan" for what you want to achieve (unconsciously) with your behavior. Which appeal to yourself can be deduced from the behavior?
5. What is the need behind the plan? Should something positive be achieved? Or is something negative avoided by behaving this way?
Examples of needs to be achieved
Intimacy / loyalty, altruism, solidarity, recognition / acknowledgment, autonomy, status, power, control, education / understanding, diversity, self-confidence, self-reward OR
Possible consequences to be avoided
Loneliness / isolation, contempt, humiliation / embarrassment, blame / criticism, dependency / autonomy loss, injury / stress, weakness / loss of control, failure, helplessness
Example: "I have to write so many emails"
BEHAVIOUR "Write emails to the working group!"
SUBGOAL "Be a reliable member of your working group!"
OVERALL GOAL "Be responsible!"
PLAN "Hold your status in the group!" Or "support others!"
NEED Status / altruism / avoid criticism
Please find the prezi here or attached as a pdf.
QUESTION for Reflection:
How can mental infrastructures of a degrowth society be paved? What are mechanisms of change? Why do you have to run along, and when do you manage to get out?
Please consider the following questions from an individual perspective!
Where did you change your behavior compatible with a degrowth society? And why?
Which mental structures might help us to change towards degrowth mental infrastructures? What behaviors should be encouraged in order to achieve a degrowth society?
Which mental structures are holding us back to achieve a degrowth society?
Do you know people who have decelerated or escaped the system of acceleration? What are their characteristics?
Which intrinsic factors / resources are important for change and could help in the implementation?
→ write clues on the presentation cards
Please find the Map of change attached.
The purpose of this peaceful place relaxation script is to relax your mind and guide you to imagine your own peaceful, safe place. This place will be an imaginary area that you can visualize to help calm and relax your mind when you are feeling stressed.
Begin by setting aside a few minutes so that you can relax without having anything else you need to focus on. Find a comfortable position.
For the next few moments, focus on calming your mind by focusing on your breathing. Allow you breathing to center and relax you. Breathe in.... and out.
In..... out.....
In.... Out.....
Continue to breathe slowly and peacefully as you allow the tension to start to leave your body.
Release the areas of tension, feeling your muscles relax and become more comfortable with each breath.
Continue to let your breathing relax you....
Breathe in....2...3...4.... hold....2.....3...... out...2...3....4...... 5
again....2.....3....4....hold....2....3.... out...2...3....4.... 5
Continue to breathe slowly, gently, comfortably.....
Let the rate of your breathing become gradually slower as your body relaxes.
Now begin to create a picture in your mind of a place where you can completely relax. Imagine what this place needs to be like in order for you to feel calm and relaxed.
Start with the physical layout of the place you are imagining..... where is this peaceful place? You might envision somewhere outdoors.... or indoors..... it may be a small place or large one..... create an image of this place. (pause)
Now picture some more details about your peaceful place. Who is in this place? Are you alone? Or perhaps you are with someone else? Are there other people present? Animals? Birds? Imagine who is at your place, whether it is you only, or if you have company. (pause)
Imagine even more detail about your surroundings. Focus now on the relaxing sounds around you in your peaceful place. Now imagine any tastes and smells your place has to offer.
Imagine the sensations of touch... including the temperature, any breeze that may be present, the surface you are on.... imagine the details of this calming place in your mind.
Focus now on the sights of your place - colors, shapes.... objects.... plants..... water..... all of the beautiful things that make your place enjoyable. To add further detail to this relaxing scene, imagine yourself there. What would you be doing in this calming place? Perhaps you are just sitting, enjoying this place, relaxing. Maybe you imagine walking around.... or doing any other variety of activities.
Picture yourself in this peaceful place. Imagine a feeling of calm..... of peace..... a place where you have no worries, cares, or concerns.... a place where you can simply rejuvenate, relax, and enjoy just being. (pause)
Enjoy your peaceful place for a few moments more. Memorize the sights, sounds, and sensations around you. Know that you can return to this place in your mind whenever you need a break. You can take a mental vacation to allow yourself to relax and regroup before returning to your regular roles.
In these last few moments of relaxation, create a picture in your mind that you will return to the next time you need a quick relaxation break. Picture yourself in your peaceful place. This moment you are imagining now, you can picture again the next time you need to relax. When you are ready to return to your day, file away the imaginary place in your mind, waiting for you the next time you need it.
Turn your attention back to the present. Notice your surroundings as your body and mind return to their usual level of alertness and wakefulness. Keep with you the feeling of calm from your peaceful place as you return to your everyday life.