Creativity in Individual Therapy

"Autobiography in Five Short Chapters" is a poem by Portia Nelson.

It describes the process of personal growth and change.

The poem is divided into five chapters, each of which describes a different stage in the journey of self-discovery.

The five chapters are as follows:

I.

I walk down the street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk fall in. I am lost... I am helpless.

It isn't my fault.

It takes me forever to find a way out.

II.

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I pretend I don't see it. I fall in again.

I can't believe I am in the same place.

It isn't my fault.

It still takes a long time to get out.

III.

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I fall in….it’s a habit…but my eyes are open.

I know where I am. It is my fault.

I get out immediately.

IV.

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I walk around it.

V.

I walk down another street.

Copyright (c) 1993, by Portia Nelson from the book There's A Hole in My Sidewalk. Reproduced with kind permission from Beyond Words Publishing, Hillsboro, Oregon.

Author and therapist, Sissy Goff (@sissygoff), posted this poem on Instagram recently. She posted this question along with the question, "Where are you in this journey and what is the particular hole you're circling?"

I'd like to add a few more questions for reflection:

1. Which chapter resonated with you the most, and why?

2. In which chapter do you see yourself currently? Are you satisfied with remaining in your comfort zone, are you considering a change, or are you in the midst of making changes?

3. What emotions do you notice when you reflect on the repetitive patterns described in the poem?

4. What strategies or coping mechanisms have you used in the past to navigate difficult circumstances or break out of negative patterns? Are these strategies helpful for you now?

5. How can you start making conscious choices to change your path and grow personally, like in the final chapter of the poem? Are you ready to shift away from old patterns and toward personal growth and change?

Reach out to schedule a consultation for individual therapy here.