I’m a strong swimmer

I recently had the good fortune to attend a creative coaching session run by Andréa Watts of Unglue You, for practitioners of the Collage Coaching Technique™.

Andréa is THE expert in coaching with collage and the use of visual imagery to unlock the unconscious mind.

It’s one of those things that, until you experience it for yourself, it’s hard to grasp just how powerful it is.

The simple theme I held in my mind for the session was ‘How am I?’

We began by slowly looking through a series of pictures, one by one, choosing the one that ‘spoke’ to each of us.    The key is not to overthink it, not to censor yourself, just allow yourself to connect with an image.  It’s a weird feeling when it happens. Sometimes one leaps out at you and other times, it’s a gentle whisper, ‘I’m the one you need today’.

Once we’d chosen our images, we each spent 15 minutes with a partner talking about it.  The partner listens in silence, holding the space, while you explore your response to the image. Andréa calls this ‘sacred story-telling’ and that’s exactly how it feels.

My image was an underwater scene, with many colourful, open umbrellas swirling around in all directions. (This is a recreation of the image from memory).

My initial thought was how chaotic the scene felt, the umbrellas tumbling and swirling around. I had been feeling very overwhelmed that week and close to tears at several points. The umbrellas seemed to represent the dozens of things I was trying to juggle; chaotic, overwhelming, impossible to hold onto.

As I looked at the image more closely, I noticed the rays of sunshine illuminating the water. They felt hopeful and energising. I looked at the umbrellas spinning away and realised in that moment I could let them go.  I didn’t need to try and catch hold of them all.

I noticed one big yellow umbrella in the centre that seemed to be floating up to the surface. I imagined myself clasping the handle of it and being pulled up.

Then followed what we call in coaching,

a ‘light bulb’ moment:
I didn’t need to be pulled to the surface, I could kick my way up.

I AM A STRONG SWIMMER. 

These words reverberated around my head.
I am a strong swimmer, I can kick my way to the surface and feel the sunshine on my face.  I can navigate any situation I find myself in. I can count on myself.

As I told the story of my image to my partner (Andréa herself, how lucky was I?) and felt the curiosity, respect and empathy with which she received it, I felt a huge shift within me.

I wanted to shout ‘I am a strong swimmer!’ at the top of my voice.

I love actual swimming, as well as metaphorical swimming, and that sensation of propelling yourself through the water with a strong kick of your legs and pull of your arms is a precious thing to me.  I feel such a connection to my body when I swim and grateful for its strength.  As I told the story of my image, I felt that same connection and gratitude to my internal self.

Working with images in this way opens a direct channel to your unconscious mind. Creative coaching creates a shortcut

to parts of yourself that are usually hidden away under layers of psychological clutter.  It is endlessly surprising to see what emerges.

Now if only I still had my 1980s swim badges, especially the ‘getting a brick from the bottom of the pool in your pjs’ one, I would wear them with pride.

I am a strong swimmer. If you hear me proclaiming this around Lewes, please don’t worry - all is well. Just pass me a towel.