Pleasure questions game
Whatever we did as children, before fear and survival strategies took over, evokes our true inclinations: what we do for our authentic self-pleasure truly connects us to the world. ―Leon F. Seltzer
👥 Serves: 2-10 people
🎚 Difficulty: Medium
⏳ Total time: 61-120 minutes, Ongoing
🥣 Ingredients: A quiet space where you won’t be disturbed, a timer, sheets of paper and pens for each participant, sticky notes
🤓 Wholebeing Domains: Awareness, Community, Liberatory Learning, Radical Care
💪 Wholebeing Skills: Acceptance, Authenticity, Clarity, Hosting conversations, Inquiry, Listening, Non-judgement, Play, Reflection, Relating to Others
Pleasure questions game
📝 Description
Reconnecting with the child within.
This activity is designed to help you recover a sense of authentic pleasure, the kind you experienced as a child, free from external judgement and the drive to perform. Through a series of introspective questions, you will reconnect with those activities and experiences that once brought you genuine joy. It is also a great opportunity to bond with your exercise partner(s), fostering greater openness and authenticity in the relationship.
This activity is intended not only as a moment of personal introspection, but also as an opportunity for shared growth. It has been kindly donated by Alice Siracusano of Nati Per Cambiare.
🌟 Steps
Step 1 – Preparation (10’)
Choose a place and time where you feel comfortable and free from distraction. Whether you are doing this with one other person or a small group of people, briefly explain that the purpose of the activity is to reconnect with one’s authentic self, which often is buried under the weight of fear and judgement. Clarify that the goal is not to seek ‘perfect answers’ but to rejoice in the personal memories and collective inquiry. If doing this activity in a small group, divide people into pairs.
Step 2 – Sharing introspective questions (40’)
Take it in turns asking questions, one at the time, for 20 minutes each. The speaker is invited to first reflect in silence before sharing, letting the responses emerge without forcing them. If they get stuck, the listener can prompt them by suggesting they recall moments from childhood, when spontaneity guided actions.
- Q1: Tell me about something you love to do, even if you think you aren’t good at it.
- Q2: Tell me about something you don’t love to do, but in which you excel.
- Q3: Tell me about a time you made a decision without having all the information, trusting your instinct.
Step 3 – Identifying a reconnecting activity (10’)
After each exploring the questions, work together to identify an activity linked to one of those authentic pleasures you described, even if it is something you don’t ‘excel at’ today. Something that can be incorporated into your current daily routine.
Step 4 – Practising (3 weeks)
Agree to dedicate a weekly moment to this activity, committing to practising it for at least 3 weeks. Write down your proposal on a sticky note and place it somewhere visible in your home or office as a reminder.
Step 5 – Journaling (15’)
As you go through the weeks, keep a journal to reflect on the following:
- The feelings experienced during the activity
- The feelings experiences after the activity
- Reflections on how the activity affects your overall wellbeing
Step 6 – Sharing (30’)
Arrange a meet-up after 3 weeks to share your experiences, discuss any difficulties and joys, and further reconnect with your authentic pleasure and your partner(s).