Another interactive aspect of the space included the self-care bingo! The instructions were simple – participants had to reflect on the week gone by and tick off as many listed acts of selfcare that they had engaged in. Â
This was our attempt to build conversation around Mental Health and Selfcare. The intention was to spotlight through this simple activity, the steps one is currently taking towards building one’s own resources and suggest ways in which one could bring in active changes that promote selfcare.Â
We incentivised the activity, allowing those who were able to get a line to choose an affirmation card that resonated with them.Â
While a few people were able to get the selfcare activities ticked off in a line, it was not so simple for many other people there. Some people shared how they were unable to think of a single thing that they had done for themselves in the previous week, and the emotions that came up because of it. Â
Our conversations aimed to spotlight that the emotions coming up were indicators of wanting to get back to self care and also included discussions around what acts that were not on the sheet held meaning for them, and what acts could bring in a sense of self care for them.Â
Others shared how vulnerable the activity made them feel. We were fortunate to even connect with some mental health practitioners and educators who shared that the bingo was a great reminder to them to return to the basics of selfcare as a priority.Â