Creating a Life Map
A life map is a tool for you to explore and use for personal development, understanding and change.
A life map is a creative process that you can do, that allows you to explore your inner world.
So much of life is about looking forward, making plans and wondering about where you are going, but much can be gained from reflecting back. Not dwelling on and in the past, but an honest self-reflection on the past. Allowing you to oberve and meet what is still affecting you. To procees what need to be processed.
This reflection can allow you to move beyond your story.
A great tool for doing this is a life map.
A life map is a visual representation of your life so far, created by you for you.
The objective of a life map is to give yourself the opportunity to gain clarity. To align yourself with your inner witness and bring about understanding, focus and change. You can do it as a creative self-reflective practice in and of itself or you can do it with a particular focus, intention or question in mind.
Here’s how to create your life map
You will need
Art materials – gather all that you might need. You can use whatever materials you are called to use.
Time and Space – spread yourself out, give yourself enough time so as you don’t have to rush and where you won’t be disturbed. Light a candle or light an incense and prepare your space.
Permission – give yourself permission to be as free and creative as you can. You can not get this wrong.
Music (optional) – make a playlist that connects you to particular times in your life. This can help support you in this process and evoke your younger selves. Music had the ability to reach into our subconscious and connect us with diffident aspects of ourselves.
A question for reflection (optional) – you may be doing this process as a general self-reflection however it can also be used to help you with a particular intention, question or area of reflection. If you are setting an intention or question do so before the process and make it as clear as possible.
Before you Start
Connect with your breath – Take a few moments to take your attention to your natural flow of breath this is about just noticing and connecting and isn’t about try to affect of change the breath in any way. Notice how your body wants to breath and notice how the connection to your breath allows you to drop deeper into yourself.
Create as much internal space as you can – This is connected to giving yourself permission and releasing any internal judgement and criticisms. Remember you cannot get this wrong, because wrong simply doesn’t exist.
Creating you Map
Beginning - Start at the beginning, this may include what was going on around the time of your birth or even your conception.
Stages - Move through the different stages of your life, include what you feel drawn to, you don’t have to include every detail (unless you want to) Trust your instinct and your creativity.
Journal - Once complete make some notes one how the process has been for you. What did you notice, what was your self-take like? What did you experience, feel and notice in your body?
Reflect
Take as much time as you want to reflect on your map and on the process of creating it. If you did set an intention or question before creating it reflect on how your map related to this. Again give this time and space you may want it land a little and come back to it.