The Magic of Weaving Together the Values That Drive Me
Art therapy and strengthening a sense of community. These are two of my highest values.
When I was in graduate school, I had the opportunity to travel to Nicaragua twice over the course of two years to meet with community leaders and discuss (and experience) how art therapy can foster a deeper sense of community. These were some of the most powerful experiences in my graduate school training, and in my work as an art therapist.
When I find opportunities to bring together the things I value most, I experience a deep sense of awe. The experience in Nicaragua brought together more than just art therapy and building community.
I was able to deepen my experience of curiosity in getting to experience the food, the culture, and the local markets we visited in Granada. There were opportunities for learning through attending talks by elders about the history of the community, and through spending time with the mayor who was only 28 years old at the time.
I deepened my passion for adventure during a small boat tour of the volcanic islands in Lake Nicaragua, getting to swim in a volcano crater lake, and checking out the local zip line where the locals recommend zipping down upside down. Which I tried, of course.
When I begin working with a new client in my therapy practice in San Francisco, whether they are in treatment for trauma, anxiety, or to better manage imposter syndrome, I always ask about values. Some of the initial responses I receive might include family, friendship, and perhaps a passion like music.
These are important, of course, but I’m curious about the things that are more difficult to pinpoint. The values that drive us. Creativity. Meaningful work. Authenticity. Service. Courage. Movement. We can identify when something is a value when we can see a thread woven throughout our past experiences, especially in the memories that are most significant or meaningful. And when we stray too far from our values, there’s usually a visceral feeling; for me there’s a dull hum that I’m missing something.
Every few months, I take some time to reflect on my values and determine whether the choices I’m making are in alignment with what’s most important to me.
If there’s a gap or a void, I try my best to get back into alignment.
When I find opportunities to bring together several of my values in one experience, I grasp it with both hands. The discovery of trail running has allowed me to deepen my values of nature, connection, community, competition, and adventure.
Living in a tiny house for four years allowed me to experience simplicity, adaptability, independence, and self-discipline. At times, I stop to remember how scrambled my brain feels when I haven’t dedicated time and space for creativity by drawing in my sketchbook, writing, or listening to live music.
What makes you feel alive?
Brene Brown put together a list of values you can use for inspiration if you aren’t certain about what you'd list as your own, what drives you, or what you find meaningful. Visit BreneBrown.com to download the PDF.
Brene Brown developed a list of values you can use for inspiration.
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Accountability
Achievement
Adaptability
Adventure
Altruism
Ambition
Authenticity
Balance
Beauty
Being the best
Belonging
Career
Caring
Collaboration
Commitment
Community
Compassion
Competence
Confidence
Connection
Contentment
Contribution
Cooperation
Courage
Creativity
Curiosity
Dignity
Diversity
Environment
Efficiency
Equality
Ethics
Excellence
Fairness
Faith
Family
Financial stability
Forgiveness
Freedom
FriendshipFun
Future generations
Generosity
Giving back
Grace
Gratitude
Growth
Harmony
Health
Home
Honesty
Hope
Humility
Humor
Inclusion
Independence
Initiative
Integrity
Intuition
Job security
Joy
Justice
Kindness
Knowledge
Leadership
Learning
Legacy
Leisure
Love
Loyalty
Making a difference
Nature
Openness
Optimism
Order
Parenting
Patience
Patriotism
Peace
PerseverancePersonal fulfillment
Power
Pride
Recognition
Reliability
Resourcefulness
Respect
Responsibility
Risk-taking
Safety
Security
Self-discipline
Self-expression
Self-respect
Serenity
Service
Simplicity
Spirituality
Sportsmanship
Stewardship
Success
Teamwork
Thrift
Time
Tradition
Travel
Trust
Truth
Understanding
Uniqueness
Usefulness
Vision
Vulnerability
Wealth
Well-being
Wholeheartedness
Wisdom
Visit BreneBrown.com to download the PDF
When treating depression, anxiety, or PTSD, one of my favorite concepts is called behavioral activation. The idea is to identify what is most meaningful to you, and find opportunities to go out and experience that thing.
Of course, cycles of avoidance and negative thinking common with anxiety and PTSD can make this much more difficult than it sounds. When we’re struggling, we won’t be in the mood or have the energy for it. But if we can find a way to do it anyway, this is one of the best ways to feel better.
Therapy for Highly Sensitive People
If you are a highly sensitive person, designing a life in which you get to live out the values that are most meaningful to you will have a significant impact on your mental health and well being.
If You’re Struggling to Find Your Sense of Purpose, Therapy Can Help
Contact me to schedule a complementary 20-minute consultation. if you’re interested in working through social anxiety, overthinking, imposter syndrome, or recovering from trauma, all of which can get in the way of participating in the activities you find most meaningful. You can learn more about me to see if we might be a good fit. I’m an HSP and I’ve been there too.
I also work with athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who find themselves unable to engage in the adventures due to injury or other obstacles that are getting in the way. I can help you work through the sense of dread and loss you’re inevitably feeling. I provide EMDR, Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, Art Therapy, and more traditional relational therapy at my offices in San Francisco and Marin, and online throughout California, North Carolina, and Florida.
About the Author
Written by Dr. Amy Waldron, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in supporting highly sensitive folks (HSPs) manage patterns of overthinking, social anxiety, imposter syndrome, and recovery from trauma. With close to 15 years of experience supporting clients at various stages of healing, Dr. Waldron now writes about the use of EMDR, ketamine assisted psychotherapy, art therapy, and relational psychotherapy based on her work with clients in the San Francisco Bay Area.
