Pieces of My Heart

Happy Thursday Everyone!  

I've been talking a lot lately about finding your people, being part of a "nation," and seeing and being seen.  It dawned on me this morning when asking my question of the day in Google Classroom (are you an introvert or an extrovert?) that before you can truly belong with anyone else, you need to belong to yourself.  

I will sometimes ask students how they would describe themselves, and I often get, "I don't know," as an answer.  This always feels a bit frustrating to me at the outset, but then I have to remind myself that it's normal for middle schoolers to not really be sure about who they are and what they stand for.  It's hard because brain development in adolescence (the developmental period you are in) keeps you looking outward or to others to figure out what you "like."  In adolescence it's important to fit in, so kids tend to like whatever their friends like and tend to push their own ideas and beliefs aside.

This physical distancing in some ways relieves the pressure of having to conform to what our friends are doing and allows us some time to think about what really matters to us personally.  It gives us time to examine the pieces of our own hearts that help shape us.  Today I have included and an activity you can do at home if you are looking for an artistic outlet.   It's a way to think about what is important to you.  You can print it out and complete it if you feel inclined.  I've also included an example picture of what the completed heart might look like.  

My hope with activities like these is that you reflect on what's important to you, with the end goal of being able to describe yourself in a few words.  Are you family-oriented, compassionate, an animal lover, determined, hard-working, organized, creative, extroverted, shy, quiet, social, athletic, musical, dramatic, introverted, a joiner, a nature-lover, helpful?  There are so many ways for people to describe themselves, and these ways that we think of ourselves help to define our path in life.

So how would you describe yourself in a few words?  How would your friends describe you?  What words would your parents use when telling people about you?  If you can't come up with these 9 words (your three, three from your friends, and three from your parents) then maybe take some time to complete this activity - put some time into you so that as you find your people, join nations, and look to be seen, you know who you are and understand how you fit into the puzzle of the world.  

Here is the link to the activity, and a picture of what it looks like partially completed.  

I hope you have fun with this!  Once you've completed it, if you feel like sharing with me, just take a picture of your heart and send it to me via email.  Maybe include the three words of how you would describe yourself.  I hope to hear from you.   

Have a great Thursday!  

Mrs. Hempey