The smell of play doh takes me back to a childhood memory of looking out the window at a daycare unhappy to be there The touch of grass reminds me of letting out anger at soccer games as a teenager. Anytime chocolate chip cookies are mentioned, I'm there. Baking them with my mother growing up was a peaceful, enjoyable experience that I try to relive when I am in need of a self-care day. For me, some of my most cherished and despised memories are relived through the senses and have become a way to not only cope through it but also allow me to be fully present with myself. Anywhere and anytime I could brainstorm through all five senses and work through negative thoughts and emotions.

Here's an example.. As I am typing this I can feel the clicks of the buttons, I can hear cars driving by, I can taste sugar cookies that I recently made, I can see that it is close to my bedtime, and I can smell a diaper that needs to be changed. Give it a try. Got to go, Therapals!

Sierra