“Vulnerability is so powerful. It’s such a gift to be able to be vulnerable.”
~ Carla Rodriguez

conversation skills you will practice:

  • observing
  • responding
  • working toward comfort with vulnerability
  • honoring the vulnerability of another

LEANING INTO VULNERABILITY: The ONE Photo Challenge

Download Activity PDF

1

Take one photo of yourself. Or ask a friend to take one. JUST ONE.
No do-overs. If possible, view the photo on a large computer screen, or print it out.

2

Record your observations in a journal or on a piece of paper. What physical characteristics do you notice? Tip: imagine you are describing the photo to someone who can’t see it. (e.g. “My eyes are blue.” “My lips curve up a little on the right.” “My hair is parted on the side” etc.) Go deeper — what additional details do you notice? (e.g. Are there lines around your eyes? A hair out of place? etc.)

3

Now allow yourself to respond to the photo in a more personal way.

Ask yourself:

  • What do you think about when you look at the image?
  • Does it remind you of anything, or anyone, other than yourself?
  • What mood words might you use to describe what you see?

4

Reflection:

  • What are you most comfortable seeing when you look at your photo?
  • What in the photo (if anything) makes you a little uncomfortable?
  • If you were told that image would be all over social media tomorrow, what would your reaction be? Do you have any feelings of vulnerability?
  • Which was harder: to strictly observe the photo, or to personally respond to it?

5

Can you imagine any benefits to strictly observing BEFORE responding, in this activity or in a difficult conversation?

1

Take one photo of yourself. Or ask a friend to take one. JUST ONE.
No do-overs. If possible, view the photo on a large computer screen, or print it out.

2

Record your observations in a journal or on a piece of paper. What physical characteristics do you notice? Tip: imagine you are describing the photo to someone who can’t see it. (e.g. “My eyes are blue.” “My lips curve up a little on the right.” “My hair is parted on the side” etc.) Go deeper — what additional details do you notice? (e.g. Are there lines around your eyes? A hair out of place? etc.)

3

Now allow yourself to respond to the photo in a more personal way.

Ask yourself:

  • What do you think about when you look at the image?
  • Does it remind you of anything, or anyone, other than yourself?
  • What mood words might you use to describe what you see?

4

Reflection:

  • What are you most comfortable seeing when you look at your photo?
  • What in the photo (if anything) makes you a little uncomfortable?
  • If you were told that image would be all over social media tomorrow, what would your reaction be? Do you have any feelings of vulnerability?
  • Which was harder: to strictly observe the photo, or to personally respond to it?

5

Can you imagine any benefits to strictly observing BEFORE responding, in this activity or in a difficult conversation?

Want to do more with this activity? Invite a partner to work with you.

  • Invite someone else to complete this exercise with you.
  • When you have both completed steps 1-4, exchange photos with your partner
  • Complete steps 2-3 with each other’s photo
  • Take turns sharing your observations, then sharing your personal reflections about each other’s photo

Explore together: How did it feel to do this activity with your own photo? With each other’s photo? Which experience felt more vulnerable? How did this affect how you participated in the conversation?

CONVERSATION CONSIDERATIONS

How might practicing exploring vulnerability, your own or that of someone you are with, help you feel more comfortable entering into difficult conversations?  In what ways might the practice of observing before you personally respond be helpful when a conversation turns tough?