All Emotional

Give group members a chance to role play different emotions.

Write the following words on sticky name tags, or on paper plates strung with string that can be worn around the neck.

  • Frustrated
  • Angry
  • Ecstatic
  • Eager
  • Depressed
  • Stupid
  • Content
  • Sad
  • Anxious
  • Insecure

When people arrive, have them randomly choose one of the words and wear it. Once everyone has been given a word, explain that you want each person to pretend that they are feeling the way their card indicates. Ask them to demonstrate the kind of body language that such a person would exhibit (pause to let each person show the group). Then have each person explain to the group what might have happened today, or in the past week, to make them feel this way. (Be sure to remind them not to go into great detail.)

Once everyone has had a chance to vent their feelings, go back around the circle and ask each person to explain what they need from the group tonight in light of how they are feeling.

Lastly, have each person talk about the last time they actually felt the emotion on their card, and why.

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