Mental Wellbeing
Discovering treasure in life’s scars
A series of discussion evenings through the Autumn months aimed at developing strategies for better mental wellbeing in ourselves and those around us. Discovering treasure in life’s scars.
The pressures around us are increasing, and we will need all of our thinking resources to help ourselves and others work through them. Mental wellbeing is about taking our experiences, good and bad, and using them to find strategies which can better help us deal with these pressures. It is a bit like a fitness gym for the mind (but without the fees).
Monday evenings, 19.30 – 21.30, 19 September to 12 December 2022
@St Barnabas Centre, Church Lane, Thorley, CM23 4BE | What3Words – ///bumpy.elaborate.nails
(Optional exploratory session – 12 Sept 2022)
Why Kintsugi?
Kintsugi is a Japanese art form where objects that have been cracked or broken are repaired using precious metals, particularly gold. Rather than hiding the damage done, the cracks are emphasised and celebrated for what they add to the uniqueness and character of the piece.
It represents a metaphor for ourselves. That the psychological scars we carry from guilt or loss, the damage done to us by others and by circumstance, the times when we feel inadequate or broken or unwanted, and yet we carry on! These are the things that make us unique and shape our character. And if we can build the courage to revisit them, and appreciate them for how they have made us who we are, then we make them of value, like the precious metals in a Kintsugi bowl.
What Kintsugi means for our mental wellbeing
By combining our experiences with new strategies and insights, we can be better equipped to address the material and emotional challenges that face us. Furthermore, a healthy view of our experiences enables us to empathise more deeply with those struggling around us, to be vulnerable, to feel compassion – to be fully human in our relationships with others. And to help them also.
We weren’t designed to be, or to stay, perfect. We were designed to carry life and reflect its trials and its joys. Each wound we carry makes us more valuable to ourselves and those around us, not less.
What will Kintsugi evenings be like
Each evening will be fairly relaxed, beginning with a coffee. There will be some ideas and helpful content introduced into each session at various points – each evening will focus on a different topic. However, the spirit of the evening will be more about reflective discussion, both in small groups and altogether. We intend to create a safe environment where we can share things we want to, and gain ideas on how to address those things we are not ready to share. These evenings will be based on the work of Kintsugi Hope – a charity that has made massive strides in helping people develop better mental resilience and strength.
When and where will they run
Each session runs from 19.30 to 21.30, beginning on the 19th September, at the Barnabas Centre – the barn by St James Thorley Church. We also have an open pre-session on 12th September beginning at 19.30, for those who like the idea but aren’t sure it will suit them – feel free to just turn up to that one, and we will give you a better idea of what is involved, and seek to answer your questions.
Or if you cannot make that and want to understand more, please call Mike Clargo on 01279 731318 for a chat.
What will we be covering
Each week works on a different topic, listed below. But they all build up together.
| 19/09/2022 | 1. Honesty | 07/11/2022 | 7. Perfectionism |
| 26/09/2022 | 2. Anxiety | 14/11/2022 | 8. Forgiveness |
| 03/10/2022 | 3. Depression | 21/11/2022 | 9. Self-Acceptance |
| 10/10/2022 | 4. Shame | 28/11/2022 | 10. Relationships |
| 17/10/2022 | 5. Anger | 05/12/2022 | 11. Resilience |
| 24/10/2022 | 6. Disappointment/Loss | 12/12/2022 | 12. Wrap-Up |
31/10/2022 Our plan is to organise a social event, as a mid-programme break
To book your place for the 19th September onwards, please contact us via info@stjamesthorley.com, marking your email for the attention of the Kintsugi team. Or if you would like some idea of what I personally got out of it when I came along as an attendee – please follow this link: https://bit.ly/3zW0HRM