How to use flickr for self-exploration

Self-exploration - and more specifically, the understanding and awareness that results from it - is a key component of M.A.P. Making. The more you know about yourself, the better equipped you are to create a life that energizes and inspires you.

Exploring the answers to straightforward questions is a good way to start, but I want to share another, more free-form approach - using images as a starting point for your exploration (I've discovered that flickr is a great source of images for this).

The basic idea

In essence, rather than creating structure with a specific question, an image can provide a springboard for your mind to explore and make associations.

When you look at a picture you can ask, "How does this apply to my situation?" Maybe it is the picture as a whole, or just one element of it.

For example, if you're looking at a rural scene with winding road snaking through the picture, you might ask, "How does that winding road relate to my life today? Am I going back and forth like that in my career? Where is it ultimately leading? Is my back and forth action leading me in that direction, or does it just amount to detour after detour? Why is my road so curvy? Could it be straighter? What would that look like? What steps can I take that would carry my more directly to my destination?" 

As you can see, once you start, the possibilities for exploration are just about endless. What I love about this approach is how it allows your mind to make free associations that you can follow (those were just random questions that popped into my head). It lets your right-brained, free-flowing side into the mix.

In my work with clients, I have a step-by-step system I developed that provides a basic structure and focus. But within that framework it's all about organically following the path where it wants to go. I have found that what needs to come up does come up.

This approach lets you play with that same idea. Rather than rigidly asking specific questions, you let the exploration itself guide you.

Here are a couple different ways to work with it.

Topic specific exploration

Sit down and brainstorm key words or phrases representing elements that are strong in your journey right now. For example, "stuck, happy, goals, curious, fear, togetherness, uncertainty, determination, giving, success."

Then go to flickr and do a search using one of those words. Scan the pictures that come up, and pick one that jumps out at you. Then ask yourself, "How does this relate to my life right now? What does this picture have to tell me about the word I chose as it relates to my journey?"

Look for symbolism. Look for literal insights. Ask yourself, "What could this mean?"

So if I do a seach on "stuck," I might look at this picture and ask, "What are those thorns about?" As I explore, I might realize that there is something I'm doing that is effectively playing the role of the thorns, putting up a defensive barrier between me and whatever it is I need to help me get unstuck. I might then ask another series of questions, like, "Why am I doing that? What is it keeping me from? What is the risk of letting down that barrier?"

Or I might look at this one and realize that there is an area of my life that it feels like I'm drowning, and that's what is keeping me stuck. Maybe I'm over-committed, for example. Then I might ask, "How could I learn to swim?" What do I need to do to get my head above water and feel like I have a better control of the situation?

Random exploration

Another approach to this is simply relying on random chance. I like opening a book, closing my eyes, and poking my finger down on a page. I take the word my finger lands on and do the same thing as I outlined above.

Except this time the field is wide open. The resulting picture exploration isn't focused on one topic. It's can take me any direction, to any element of my life that pops up.

You could use this one of these approaches as a way to explore specific ideas, or as an ongoing journaling prompt.

Here's an idea. Try doing an image-a-day exploration every day for thirty days. Then go back through your journaling and pull out the key pieces of insight you got from the process. You might be surprised what you discover.

 

Check out 101 Ways to Get Wild About Work

Curt Rosengren, Passion Catalyst ^TM

 

Comments

[sarah]

Curt, this is an awesome idea. I am grateful you shared it.

The conscious mind does not always have access to ideas and information we have and want to get at.

Using this approach looks like a clear way to get at deeper knowing. Thanks!

Sarah

[Akemi - Gratitude Magic]

Sounds like you are doing the basic art therapy.
If I may add something, why not use artwork in addition to photos. This depends on the client -- some people just like looking at representative photos. But then some prefer more abstract images, drawing meaning from colors and forms.