this to my students, they often protest that this is not true—
that they are very good to themselves. Then I ask them to do
this exercise.
List ten things you love and would love to do but are not
allowed to do. Your list might look like this:
- Go dancing.
- Carry a sketch book.
- Roller-skate.
- Buy new cowboy boots.
- Streak your hair blond.
- Go on vacation.
- Take flying lessons.
- Move to a bigger place.
- Direct a play.
- Take life-drawing class.
Very often, the mere act of writing out your list of
forbidden joys breaks down your barriers to doing them.
Post your list somewhere highly visible.
WISH LIST, AN EXERCISE
One of the best ways we can evade our Censor is to use the
technique of speed writing. Because wishes are just wishes,
they are allowed to be frivolous (and frequently should be
taken very seriously). As quickly as you can, finish the
following phrases.