What Can I Control?
Stonewall Middle School Student Services Department
A Simple Visual Activity to Explore what we CAN and CANNOT Control.
Second: Trace your hands on a piece of paper.
Third: On the inside of your hand, write "IN MY CONTROL" & on the outside of your hand outline, write "OUT OF MY CONTROL."
Next...
Examples include, but not limited to: my words, my behavior, my thoughts, etc.
2. Write or Draw the things you are not in control of around the outside of the hand outline.
Examples include, but not limited to: my parent's job, the weather, my teacher's voice, etc.
Watch the video below for more examples and explanations.
Discussion
Get a piece of candy in a wrapper. Hold it, toss it, or throw it away. You can choose because you are in control.
If it is not in your hand, you are not in control of it. Think about that piece of candy you have, if it is lying on table across the room, you have no control what happens to it. You CAN control your actions with the situation.
Try to visualize letting go by making holding something tightly in your hand. Now visualize slowly releasing your hand. Visualizing this is a powerful way to focus on the things you are in control of and the things that you do not have control of at this time.
Holding onto the things you have no control over, can leave you feeling very overwhelmed and frustrated.
GROUNDING
- I can control my breathing.
- I can control my thoughts.
- I can control my words to myself.
- I can control my words to others.
- I can control my body.
See below for more Grounding Activities: