This activity helps you think about what feeds your worries and how you can shrink them.
What you’ll need: A piece of paper, coloured pens or pencils
What’s it for?
This activity helps you think about what feeds your worries and how you can shrink them.
Check In:
Notice how you’re feeling right now. Close your eyes and notice what’s going on inside your mind and body.
How are you?
What are you thinking?
How does your body feel?
Method:
Spend a moment thinking carefully about anything you are worried about.
In the middle of the page carefully leaving space on either side, draw a picture of all your feelings of worry or anxiety in the form of a scary monster!
Think carefully about what thoughts and behaviours feed the Worry Monster and make it grow even bigger and scarier! For example, holding a grudge; or, if you’re feeling scared, it’s probably not a good idea to watch a scary movie!
On the left side of the page, draw the outline of some food for the worry monster and write in the thoughts and behaviours which feed the beast!
Think carefully about what thoughts and behaviours might shrink the Worry Monster and make it smaller and more manageable, such as talking to someone about the worry; taking some calming breaths; or, finding a solution to a problem.
On the right side of the page, draw the outline of some special magic potion bottles. Write in the thoughts and behaviours which shrink the beast!
Extra Activity: If you feel anxious or worried, think about which magic potion you can apply to your Worry Monster to make it shrink!
When you’ve finished drawing and writing, ask yourself the following questions:
Was it easy or difficult to name thoughts and behaviours which feed the Worry Monster?
Which magic potions work best for you to calm your own worries, and shrink your Worry Monster?
Conclusion:
Actually naming and thinking about what might make our worries worse or shrink them can give us a certain amount of control over them.
Take a moment to notice how you are feeling at the end of this activity. Did you discover anything surprising? What can you take away to make you feel better about yourself from this activity?
If you would like to, share something about your experience with this activity with someone you live with! Ask the person who looks after you to send us an email if you have any questions or comments about the activity, or would like to send us any pictures (info@catcorner.co.uk). Don't forget to subscribe for more fun CAT activities!
Created by Ian Grundy © March 2020
Creative Arts Used: Music & Creative Writing
Psychological Areas Explored: Emotional Wellbeing, Anxiety
References:
This activity was based on ‘Anxiety the Alien’ (pg. 211) from:
Phifer, L. Crowder, A, Elsenraat, T, and R. Hull (2017): CBT Toolbox for Children & Adolescents, US: PESI Publishing and Media
These activities could be done by children of all ages, but some may need the support of their parent or carer to read the instructions or complete the activity safely.
This website was made by CAT Corner to help you explore your feelings through fun creative arts activities. The people using the website and the people responsible for them need to make sure they stay safe (full disclaimer on About page).
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