#ReflectivePractices

[thecpdiary]

Tips for Reflective Practices

Reflection is how I get to write in depth material on my personal blogs, with a little research thrown in on my more technical blogs, just to make sure I'm on the right tracks.

Reflection is what saved my mental health. I would recommend it to anyone. I've always been deep. Reflection is a valuable tool for personal and professional development. By building regular time to reflect on certain situations, you can plan your time more effectively at the same time as working on your mental health.

Reflection involves deliberately thinking back on experiences, events, or situations and analysing them to gain insights, learn from them and to make improvements.

Here are some key ways in which you can use reflection as a tool:

Self-awareness

Reflection allows individuals to become more aware of their thoughts, emotions and behaviours. By reflecting on past actions and experiences, individuals can identify their strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement.

Learning

Reflection helps to consolidate and integrate new knowledge and skills gained from experiences. By reflecting on what worked or didn't work, individuals can identify the strategies or approaches that were successful and those that need adjustment.

Problem-solving

Reflection provides an opportunity to critically analyse challenges or problems faced so that you can explore potential solutions. It allows individuals to assess the effectiveness of previous strategies, consider alternative options and to develop new insights and approaches.

Goal-setting

Reflection can also help in setting meaningful goals by evaluating past achievements and identifying areas that require further development. It enables individuals to clarify their aspirations and align their actions with their desired outcomes.

Decision-making

Reflection also allows individuals to evaluate the decisions they have made and their consequences. By analysing the factors that influenced their decisions, individuals can learn from their past experiences, enabling them to make more informed decisions.

Emotional wellbeing

Reflection contributes to emotional well-being by providing an opportunity to process and understand emotions associated with experiences. It can help individuals gain perspective, build resilience and reduce stress.

Dedicate time and space

To effectively use reflection as a tool, it is important to create dedicated time and space for reflection, adopt a non-judgmental and open mindset and use prompts or questions to guide the reflection process. Regular reflection can lead to continuous improvement, increased self-awareness, improved decision-making and personal, spiritual and emotional growth.

It would be interesting to hear from others on how you resolve your own issues. Do you use reflection, or do you find another method works better?

For more inspirational, lifestyle blogs, please check out my site https://www.thecpdiary.com

[onlineassignmentshelp]

Cultivating Critical Thinking Skills in the Classroom

In an ever-changing world filled with complex problems and information overload, the ability to think critically has become essential. As educators, we play a vital role in nurturing and cultivating critical thinking skills in our students. In this blog, we will explore the importance of critical thinking and provide practical strategies that can be implemented in the classroom to foster this invaluable skill. By embracing these techniques, we can empower our students to become independent, analytical thinkers capable of navigating the challenges of the modern world.

Understanding the Significance of Critical Thinking: Explain the significance of critical thinking in today's society. Discuss how critical thinking involves analyzing information, evaluating evidence, and making reasoned judgments. Highlight its importance in problem-solving, decision-making, and effective communication.

Encouraging Questioning and Inquiry: Promote a classroom culture that encourages students to ask questions and explore concepts in-depth. Encourage curiosity and curiosity-driven inquiry. Teach students how to ask thoughtful questions, investigate different perspectives, and seek evidence to support their claims.

Engaging in Socratic Discussions: Implement Socratic discussions as a platform for critical thinking. Encourage students to engage in respectful, open-ended dialogues that challenge assumptions and encourage reflection. Guide students to analyze different viewpoints, support arguments with evidence, and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various perspectives.

Analyzing and Evaluating Information: Teach students how to analyze and evaluate information critically. Provide them with tools and frameworks to assess the credibility, reliability, and bias of sources. Help them differentiate between fact and opinion, distinguish logical arguments from fallacies, and identify relevant evidence to support their claims.

Problem-Based Learning: Incorporate problem-based learning activities that require students to apply critical thinking skills to real-world scenarios. Present them with complex problems or case studies that necessitate analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Encourage collaborative problem-solving and guide students through the process of finding creative solutions.

Developing Information Literacy Skills: Equip students with information literacy skills to navigate the vast sea of information available to them. Teach them how to find reliable sources, evaluate online information critically, and discern credible information from misinformation or propaganda. Help them develop the ability to identify biases and separate reliable evidence from personal opinions.

Integrating Reflective Practices: Integrate reflective practices into the learning process to encourage metacognition and self-assessment. Prompt students to reflect on their thinking processes, identify areas for improvement, and set goals for enhancing their critical thinking skills. Encourage them to keep learning journals or portfolios to document their reflections and growth.

Fostering a Growth Mindset: Emphasize the importance of a growth mindset in developing critical thinking skills. Teach students that intelligence and abilities can be developed through effort and practice. Encourage them to embrace challenges, view mistakes as learning opportunities, and persist in the face of setbacks.

Conclusion: Cultivating critical thinking skills in the classroom is an investment in our student's future success. By creating a culture of inquiry, engaging in Socratic discussions, analyzing information, and integrating problem-based learning, we can empower students to become independent, analytical thinkers. With these strategies and a growth mindset, we can equip our students with the essential skills to navigate the complexities of the modern world and make informed decisions that positively impact their lives and society.

[unpluggedfinancial]

Mastering the Art of Critical Thinking: A Comprehensive Guide to Sharpen Your Mind

In our information-saturated world, the ability to think critically has never been more crucial. Critical thinking is the cornerstone of informed decision-making, effective problem-solving, and meaningful engagement with the world around us. Whether you're navigating personal challenges, climbing the career ladder, or participating in societal discourse, honing your critical thinking skills can lead to more profound insights and better outcomes. Imagine making decisions with clarity, solving problems with confidence, and contributing to society in a meaningful way. This guide will take you on a journey to develop and refine these essential skills, transforming the way you process information and approach life's complexities.

What is Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking is the art of analyzing information objectively to form reasoned judgments. It's a multifaceted skill that encompasses:

Observation

Analysis

Interpretation

Reflection

Evaluation

Inference

Explanation

Problem-solving

Decision-making

At its core, critical thinking is about balancing open-mindedness with healthy skepticism, carefully weighing evidence before drawing conclusions or making decisions. For instance, imagine you're reading a news article about a new health trend. Instead of immediately accepting the information, you pause, research the sources, and evaluate the evidence. This is critical thinking in action.

The Importance of Critical Thinking

Personal Growth:

Enhances decision-making in daily life

Improves problem-solving abilities

Aligns choices with personal values and goals

Professional Success:

Essential for navigating workplace challenges

Valued by employers for innovation and leadership

Facilitates career advancement

Societal Contribution:

Promotes informed civic engagement

Fosters a more thoughtful and engaged community

Helps combat misinformation and manipulation

Steps to Develop Critical Thinking Skills

Cultivate Curiosity Curiosity is the engine that drives critical thinking. Embrace your inner child and never stop asking "why" and "how." For example, when you come across a claim that interests you, dig deeper to understand the underlying reasons.

Practical Exercise: The Five Whys

Choose a situation or problem and ask "why" five times in succession. Each answer forms the basis of the next question. This technique helps uncover root causes and deepens understanding.

Example:

Problem: I'm often late for work.

Why? Because I oversleep.

Why? Because I stay up too late.

Why? Because I get caught up watching TV.

Why? Because I use it to unwind after a stressful day.

Why? Because I haven't developed effective stress management techniques.

Engage in Active Learning Transform from a passive consumer of information to an active seeker of knowledge. This means not just reading but questioning, discussing, and teaching others what you've learned.

Practical Exercise: The Feynman Technique

Choose a concept to learn.

Explain it to a 12-year-old (or pretend to).

Identify gaps in your explanation.

Review and simplify.

Example: If you're learning about blockchain technology, try explaining it to a friend in simple terms. This will highlight any areas you need to understand better.

Practice Reflection Regular reflection helps you understand your thought processes and identify areas for improvement.

Practical Exercise: Decision Journal

Keep a journal of important decisions you make. For each decision, record:

The situation

Your thought process

The outcome

Lessons learned

Review this journal periodically to identify patterns and areas for improvement in your decision-making process.

Personal Anecdote: Reflect on a significant decision you made, what you learned from it, and how it shaped your future decisions.

Analyze Arguments and Evidence Develop the ability to break down arguments and evaluate supporting evidence. This is crucial in distinguishing between well-supported claims and those lacking substance.

Practical Exercise: CRAAP Test

When evaluating sources, use the CRAAP test:

Currency: Is the information up-to-date?

Relevance: Does it apply to your needs?

Authority: Who is the author/publisher?

Accuracy: Is the information supported by evidence?

Purpose: Why does this information exist?

Example: Apply the CRAAP test to a news article about a recent scientific study to assess its credibility.

Improve Communication Skills Clear communication is crucial for both expressing and understanding complex ideas. Practice active listening, engage in debates, and write regularly.

Practical Exercise: Steelman Argument

Instead of attacking the weakest point of an opposing view (strawman), try to present the strongest possible version of the opposing argument before responding. This exercise improves your ability to understand and articulate different perspectives.

Example: When debating a controversial topic, first articulate the strongest arguments of the opposing side before presenting your counterarguments.

Embrace Open-Mindedness Be willing to consider different viewpoints and revise your opinions when presented with new evidence.

Practical Exercise: Belief Challenge

Regularly challenge one of your strongly held beliefs. Research opposing viewpoints from credible sources and try to understand their perspective. You don't have to change your mind, but the exercise will broaden your understanding.

Example: If you strongly believe in a particular political ideology, spend time reading credible sources that present the opposing view and reflect on their arguments.

Develop Problem-Solving Strategies Learn and practice various techniques to approach problems methodically. This will help you tackle complex issues more effectively.

Practical Exercise: Mind Mapping

When faced with a complex problem:

Write the main issue in the center of a page.

Branch out with related subtopics.

Continue branching with more specific details.

Look for connections between branches.

Example: Use mind mapping to plan a large project, breaking it down into manageable parts and identifying potential challenges.

Seek Feedback Regular, constructive feedback is essential for identifying blind spots and areas for improvement.

Practical Exercise: 360-Degree Feedback

Ask for feedback from peers, subordinates, and superiors on your critical thinking and decision-making skills. Use a standardized set of questions to get comprehensive insights.

Personal Anecdote: Share how 360-degree feedback helped you grow and refine your critical thinking skills.

Overcoming Common Obstacles to Critical Thinking

Cognitive Biases: Be aware of common biases like confirmation bias or anchoring bias. Regular self-reflection can help identify when these are influencing your thinking.

Information Overload: Develop strong information literacy skills to effectively filter and evaluate information.

Emotional Reasoning: Practice emotional intelligence to recognize when emotions are clouding your judgment.

Time Pressure: When possible, build in time for thorough analysis. For urgent decisions, have a streamlined critical thinking process ready.

Groupthink: Actively seek out diverse perspectives and encourage respectful disagreement in group settings.

Conclusion

Developing critical thinking skills is a lifelong journey that can transform every aspect of your life. By implementing these strategies and consistently practicing the exercises provided, you'll sharpen your analytical abilities, make more informed decisions, and approach complex problems with confidence. Remember, the path to becoming a masterful critical thinker is ongoing, but the rewards are immeasurable. Start with one technique today and gradually incorporate others into your daily routine. Your future self will thank you for the investment in your cognitive abilities.

Call to Action

We'd love to hear about your critical thinking journey! Share in the comments which technique you're committing to try this week and any personal experiences you've had with developing these crucial skills. Let's build a community of critical thinkers together!

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[persimmonsrain]

What more can I give?

I love my job. I love my students.

These are not just words I say at the end of a good class or a fulfilling week. They are words I carry even on days when the grammar drills fall flat, when internet glitches slow down the rhythm, or when a student’s silence speaks louder than their participation. I love them not just because of who they are, but because of who they are becoming and how they allow me to be part of that becoming.

But loving what I do does not mean I don’t question myself.

Sometimes I lie awake and wonder: What more can I give? Not in the sense of overworking or stretching myself too thin, but in the deeper sense: am I helping them see themselves as learners? As people capable of thought, of agency, of choice?

Can I do more to make my classroom a place where asking a question feels braver than getting the right answer? Can I give more of what matters, not more worksheets, but more space? More silence to think, more invitations to speak, more stories that say: You’re not alone.

My students come from different realities. Some carry burdens heavier than their schoolbags. Some are the first in their families to dream out loud. Some are still learning what it means to feel safe in a classroom. And I think: how do I reach them not just as a teacher, but as a witness?

So I ask myself again: If I already give my time, my planning, my feedback, my energy, can I also give them belief? The kind that doesn’t always need to be said but can be felt?

And how can I teach in a way that leaves my students more whole than I found them?

[indianschool-blog1]

Embracing Change: Learning, Feedback, and Fresh Starts at ISDM

January at ISDM was a month of transitions—returning from a much-needed break, facing the intensity of intervention presentations, and diving into new courses and peer learning communities. From confronting feedback to rediscovering collaboration and connecting management thinking with grassroots realities, this reflection captures a personal journey of growth and renewed purpose in the development sector.

[authorsebooks]

The Learning Progression Model

🔍 Want to shift your focus from grades to growth? 'The Learning Progression Model' offers a fresh perspective on education. How do you prioritize growth in your classroom? Share your thoughts! 

Share your experiences and insights in the comments! https://reimaginedschools.com/the-learning-progression-model/

[spiritualsoull1969]

Brihaspati: The God of Wisdom and Learning as a Guide for Strategic Thinking and Sound Judgment

Brihaspati, revered in Hindu mythology as the guru of the gods, embodies wisdom and learning. These attributes are crucial for strategic thinking and sound judgment in any field, especially in business. By understanding Brihaspati’s qualities and incorporating them into our lives, we can enhance our decision-making processes and strategic capabilities. This article explores Brihaspati’s spiritual significance and provides a practical toolkit for integrating his principles into daily routines.

Spiritual Context of Brihaspati’s Qualities

Wisdom and Learning: Brihaspati is often depicted as the epitome of knowledge, guiding the gods with his profound understanding and insight. Wisdom, in this context, goes beyond mere knowledge—it involves the application of learned principles in practical situations. For entrepreneurs and leaders, wisdom translates to the ability to see the bigger picture, foresee potential challenges, and make informed decisions.

Strategic Thinking: Brihaspati’s role as a strategist for the gods highlights the importance of strategic thinking. Strategic thinking involves planning for the long-term, anticipating future trends, and aligning actions with overarching goals. This requires a deep understanding of both internal and external environments and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

Sound Judgment: Brihaspati’s counsel to the gods was marked by sound judgment. This involves making decisions that are not only beneficial in the short term but also sustainable and ethical in the long run. Sound judgment is crucial for maintaining integrity and building trust.

Practical Toolkit for Incorporating Brihaspati’s Qualities

To embody Brihaspati’s qualities in our daily lives, we can adopt the following strategies:

1. Cultivating Wisdom and Continuous Learning

Action Plan:

Reading and Research: Regularly read books, articles, and research papers related to your field.

Courses and Workshops: Enroll in courses and attend workshops to continuously update your knowledge.

Routine Integration:

Daily Reading: Dedicate 30 minutes each day to reading educational material.

Weekly Learning Goals: Set specific learning goals each week, such as completing a chapter of a book or an online course module.

2. Enhancing Strategic Thinking

Action Plan:

Strategic Planning Sessions: Regularly conduct strategic planning sessions to assess goals and strategies.

SWOT Analysis: Perform SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analyses to understand your position and potential areas for growth.

Routine Integration:

Morning Strategy Time: Spend 15-20 minutes each morning planning your day with a focus on long-term goals.

Monthly Strategy Review: Conduct a comprehensive strategy review at the end of each month to adjust plans based on progress and new insights.

3. Developing Sound Judgment

Action Plan:

Decision-Making Frameworks: Use structured decision-making frameworks like the Pros and Cons list, Cost-Benefit Analysis, and Decision Trees.

Ethical Guidelines: Establish clear ethical guidelines and ensure all decisions align with these principles.

Routine Integration:

Daily Decision Reflection: Reflect on key decisions made during the day, assessing their alignment with long-term goals and ethical standards.

Weekly Ethical Review: Hold a brief session at the end of each week to review decisions and their adherence to ethical guidelines.

4. Building a Reflective Practice

Action Plan:

Journaling: Maintain a journal to record thoughts, insights, and lessons learned.

Meditation: Practice meditation to enhance clarity and focus.

Routine Integration:

Evening Reflection: Spend 10-15 minutes each evening journaling about the day’s experiences and insights.

Daily Meditation: Incorporate a 10-minute meditation session into your morning routine to start the day with a clear and focused mind.

5. Networking and Mentorship

Action Plan:

Mentorship Programs: Seek out mentors who can provide guidance and wisdom.

Professional Networks: Join professional networks and communities to share knowledge and insights.

Routine Integration:

Monthly Mentor Meetings: Schedule monthly meetings with your mentor to discuss progress and challenges.

Weekly Networking: Dedicate time each week to engage with professional networks and contribute to discussions.

6. Maintaining Work-Life Balance

Action Plan:

Balanced Schedule: Create a balanced schedule that includes time for work, learning, and personal activities.

Self-Care: Prioritize self-care activities to maintain physical and mental well-being.

Routine Integration:

Daily Breaks: Take regular breaks throughout the day to recharge and maintain productivity.

Weekly Leisure Activities: Set aside time each week for hobbies and leisure activities to relax and unwind.

Food For Thought

Embracing the qualities of Brihaspati—wisdom, strategic thinking, and sound judgment—can profoundly impact personal and professional growth. By integrating these principles through practical, daily routines, individuals can enhance their decision-making capabilities, strategic foresight, and ethical standards. The toolkit provided offers actionable steps to incorporate Brihaspati’s virtues into everyday life, ensuring that the guidance of the god of wisdom and learning becomes a part of your path to success. Through continuous learning, reflective practice, and balanced living, you can cultivate a mindset that aligns with Brihaspati’s teachings, leading to sustainable and meaningful achievements.

[sakshatahuja09]

Enhance Your Practice with Group Supervision in Counseling

Explore the benefits of group supervision in counseling at our center. Join a supportive community of peers to gain insights, share experiences, and enhance your counseling skills. Our expert-led sessions provide a safe space for reflection, feedback, and professional development. Collaborate with fellow therapists to navigate challenging cases, ethical dilemmas, and personal growth opportunities. With our group supervision, you'll strengthen your therapeutic practice, expand your knowledge base, and foster meaningful connections within the counseling community. Elevate your counseling journey with our comprehensive group supervision program today.

[innerguidancehub]

Navigating Encounters with Departed Souls in the Astral Realm: A Spiritual Guide

Introduction

The astral plane, a realm beyond the physical, is a space where consciousness transcends the limitations of time and space. In this ethereal dimension, we may encounter souls who have departed from the earthly plane. These encounters can be profound and even perplexing, leaving us with questions and emotions to process upon awakening. This article offers guidance on how to cope with meeting people in the astral plane who no longer exist in the physical world.

I. Understanding the Astral Plane

To navigate encounters with departed souls, it's crucial to grasp the nature of the astral plane. This dimension is a realm of pure energy, where thoughts, emotions, and consciousness intertwine. It transcends the boundaries of physical existence, allowing for interactions with beings beyond our earthly understanding.

II. Embracing the Temporal Nature of Reality

In the astral plane, time and space hold a different meaning. Souls encountered may have moved beyond the constraints of earthly time, existing in a state of eternal presence. It's important to accept that these encounters exist outside the linear progression of time.

III. Cultivating Discernment and Intuition

Discernment is key when navigating the astral realm. Trust your intuition and inner knowing to distinguish between meaningful encounters and mere projections of the subconscious mind. Remember, the astral plane is a space of symbolism and metaphor.

IV. Engaging in Reflective Practice

Upon waking from encounters with departed souls, engage in reflective practices such as journaling or meditation. Write down your experiences, emotions, and any messages received. This process helps integrate the astral experience into your conscious awareness.

V. Seeking Guidance from Spiritual Teachers or Mentors

If encounters with departed souls leave you feeling unsettled, seek guidance from spiritual teachers or mentors. They can provide valuable insights and techniques for processing these experiences and offer a broader perspective on the nature of the astral realm.

VI. Embracing the Healing Power of Dreamwork

Dreamwork can be a powerful tool for processing astral encounters. Engage in practices like lucid dreaming or dream journaling to gain deeper insights into the messages and symbolism presented in the astral realm.

VII. Honoring the Souls You Encounter

Each encounter in the astral plane holds significance. Honor the souls you meet, recognizing the potential for spiritual growth and healing that these interactions offer. Consider performing rituals or dedications to send love and light to these departed souls.

Conclusion

Encounters with departed souls in the astral plane are profound opportunities for spiritual growth and understanding. By embracing the temporal nature of reality, cultivating discernment, engaging in reflective practice, seeking guidance, and honoring the souls you encounter, you can navigate these experiences with grace and wisdom. Remember, the astral realm is a space of infinite potential, offering us glimpses into the boundless nature of the soul's journey.

[livvanraay-blog]

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE

Welcome to TALK & TECH a space where digital communications are the bee’s knees!! I created this platform to discuss the provocations behind constructing online games, digital natives and reflective practices. Sounds pretty snazzy, huh? I don’t just want to share my opinion though … I want your input too! On each of my posts comment your opinion, thoughts and theories on these concepts. It’s super easy, as this blog is easily accessible to a wide range of users online.

TALK and TECH will be an eye opener for all of you many tech wiz’ out there! On that note, enjoy the ride ……

[jubaoutlineunit06]

Luquify posters

Here I looked to utilise some of the frame by frame images I took off the videos I made earlier in order to make some possible pages for my editorial.

Reusing the liquified bauhaus posters as a base, I used the same tools (liquify the black background of the brain and add noise to it) in order for the yellow brain I changed the colour of to blend in with the piece.

In the piece, I purposefully made the saturation a slightly more brighter shade of yellow in order for the image to stand out. Something else I had to think about was the composition of where it would go.

I experimented with these two, firstly placing the image somewhere where it isn't connected with the original colour as the contrast in colours also makes the piece stand out. I also tried a perspective where the piece and brain is zoomed in and you can see only a section of the brain opening space for text on the right side.

I also added the red image also from the brain videos into the image. I tried something different for this one trying to connect it to the same colour.

I liked the aspect of possibly having the text come from the connecting to signify that the text is for that section, however the image doesn't really stand out as much as the other piece.

This experiment was useful as it gave me many perspectives to understanding how the hierarchy and composition of my pages will be planned like .

[zaraaiman-unit06]

First draft, i had to make a portfolio for Glasgow school of art, I had only 2 hours to make a portfolio and submit otherwise I was going to lose the offer. I have included some projects here as all of my other projects were saved in a folder in a computer at home

I believe I mismanaged my time because I was only given a week to submit my portfolio. The main reason I wasn't able to submit work when I was asked was because I had a deadline for my course work, and as a group, we were very behind on our work schedule, which impacted my university application and prevented me from submitting what I was asked

[responsiveparenting]

Responding, Instead of Reacting "The tendency to react, instead of respond, to emotionally charged situations, is not just a parenting challenge, it is a human challenge. We were made to react to threats. We perceive threats through our senses. Therefore, if we sense any emotion that we perceive as threatening, we tend to react, instead of respond." J. Milburn Our Guide to Survival Mode Plans focuses on what to do when you feel yourself reacting and how to better understand and prepare for those moments. Click on the purse icon, in the corner or there is a Link in bio #responsiveparenting #peacefulparenting #gentleparenting #attachmentparenting #attachment #attachmenttheory #motherhood #parenthood #earlychildhoodeducation #earlychildhoodeducator #earlychildhood #childdevelopment #childdevelopmentspecialist #parenting #parent #childhood #mindfulparenting #meltdowns #empathyispower #reflectivepractice #reflectionpractice #survivalmode #planforsurvivalmode #parentingguides https://www.instagram.com/p/CSB9v3uLm2P/?utm_medium=tumblr

[anniesartthings]

FMP Progress week 10

Getting closer to the finish line now and trying to make final #creativedecisions on pieces so I can move onto getting display set up and finish writing up sketchbook notes and gathering all my #processevidence.

On Monday I was delighted to see that all of the ceramics pieces I made came out of the final kiln firing intact and was really pleased with the finishes. The combinations of glazes and underglazes with sculptural pieces and melted glass really worked and the aim to turn the 'failed' pieces into something beautiful and functional was achieved! I spent a happy morning photographing and reflecting on the pieces, talking through with the ceramics teaching team how they turned out, then working on the final process on the moulded bowl- weaving old guitar strings and fine gold wire from packaging into the holes to form a mesh to hold flower stems.

My initial inspiration was the pewter rosebowl I was awarded at school for leadership and filled with paper roses made in GCSE Art Theatre design workshop for a school production of Oliver, where I played the Rose seller. By creating these rosebowls, and 'Rose' bowls it has reconnected me with that piece (I gifted it to my stepnan who took me in when I was kicked out of home at 17 and helped me to complete my A-levels).

Work on the Plaster skull progressed also with the test piece surface treatments of either shellac and diluted PVA painted with 3 layers each of white gesso and acrylic paint before testing scratching and stamping into the surface.

Tuesday was a work from home day and I resolved the wooden heart scupltural piece by redrilling holes to enable the guitar strings to pass through. The strings were a little short to reach through all of the holes so I had to make a creative decision on how to finish it. I added a finer guitar string to the last few holes as a contrasting texture and colour.

Wednesday was back in college and creating final ceramics piece as my response to the surveys completed on mentimeter. They generated a wordcloud to the question 'what does creativity mean to you?' and I had been trying to find ways of resolving how to display them. I decided to create my own wordcloud using the words in the response in the shape of a speech bubble and transfer this onto a clay slab and mount alongside the portrait I painted last month. I generated the wordcloud, saved as a png then printed at college as a PDF A3 size. Problem was that the printers at college are toner ones and not laser prtinters so the inks are not compatible with slip transferring, so had to change plan and ordered a digital ceramic transfer which i could add to a bisc-fired piece. I chose Teracotta clay as the base and rolled out a slab on no.2 sticks then used the printouts to draw a speech bubble shape as a template to cut out the slab. This was left overnight to dry before being smoothed and 5 layers of white earthenware slip applied, making sure to dry between layers and apply the slip evenly and smoothly. This was left again overnight then I scratched into the surface around the edges of the slip to enable the teracotta to show through and tie in with the reds in the painting. I was initially making random marks in the slip but it developed into a brain like series of curved marks resembling the outer folds of the brain.

Treatment of the skull cast continued and after looking at the test piece I decided that pva would give a smoother finish, so applied 3 coats of diluted PVA (50% with water) and then 2 layers of white gesso and 2 layers of white acrylic paint all over. Decided that as this piece was not about death, but about being alive through creativity I made a mask template to cover the face and thought about how I wanted the eyes to look.

Thursday and Friday were completing the ceramics processes and attended an ' art for resilience' class with SEED Sedgemoor run by artist Ceri-Louise Thomas. We did mindful movement and mark making in response to sounds heard in the garden. Also did some cloud studies and reflected on creative spaces and our place in space.

On Friday I took some time out after college to join a health walk and explore the Glastonbury Way.

Saturday was spent planning and editing audio files. Very excited about final result

On Sunday I painted the box to be used for the tree installation and had a rest!

[marsandfruit]

Mercury Retrograde is over. I can sleep easy now lol. Thank. God. I was losing it. Like actually losing it. It was a time of learning and growing as Mercury rested me in my communication skills. Like a lot. It was actually embarrassing and I honestly felt stupid at times lol. Nevertheless it made me reflect on where I was in my life and I hope it did the same for you too. It made me let go of subconscious burdens I had been holding onto. Ones that didn’t know where even a problem until I addressed them. It’s these moments where I need to remind myself that it’s okay to be confused and wondering what is happening in the universe. Cause let’s get real: we ALL were lol. Okay I hope y’all have a great day. And enjoy my affirmation card for today ✨ P.S. the cards are called “The Universe Has Your Back” from @gabbybernstein #mercuryretrograde #spirituality #manifestation #manifest #selflove #dailyaffirmations #positivevibes #highvibes #trusttheplan #trustrheprocess #communication #iambeingtested #innerpeace💫 #newigpost #reflection #reflectivepractice #collegestudent #blogger #gabbybernstein #gabbybernstein #theuniversehasyourback #theuniversehasmyback (at Tucson, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvpl0d2D3hG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ut7tmuncv5o9

[amirahunit06]

Ethics

For this project I had to consider the environment. This is because some of the material that I will be using could be harmful to the environment, such as paper. To prevent the paper from harming the earth I will recycle all the materials.

Things that I will have to consider with the theme of dissociation disorder is being mindful of the language, imagery, and stereotypes you use when depicting dissociation. Avoid portraying individuals with dissociation disorder as dangerous, unpredictable, or violent. Sensationalising or demonising mental health conditions can contribute to stigmatisation and discrimination. Use dissociation as a theme with the intention of fostering understanding, empathy, and awareness about the lived experiences of individuals with dissociation disorder. Construct narratives that humanise the characters and provide nuanced perspectives on their struggles, rather than exploiting their condition for shock value or entertainment.

When talking about the how the world is a stimulation I have to consider the effects it could have on peoples mental health. While stimulation can be exciting and invigorating for many people, it can also have negative consequences on mental health. Excessive stimulation, especially without adequate breaks or self-care, can lead to anxiety, stress, burnout, or other mental health issues. Highlight the importance of balance and self-care to prevent the harmful effects of overstimulation.