My not so personal journal by Alfredo Penarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6 Therapy journaling yaay. en-us 2022-02-11 06:37:03 UTC 2025-12-24 03:05:55 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f995.png Mindfulness pt 1. alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2041838359 My mind is often wandering in concepts even I can't understand. I often wonder to myself: How will this impact my life? If I can't define what I'm feeling, how will others know? 
These are anxious thoughts I get every once in a while but I can start describing what mindfulness means to me with imagery. 
Imagine yourself at the top of a mountain. There is no sound whatsoever, maybe the slight hint of wind hitting your cheeks. The only thing existing now is yourself and the world. Your mind is in a blank state and you feel as if everything is in order. This might end soon so you try and enjoy it before it fades away. I feel bliss and some sort of spirituality before it ends abruptly. 
]]> 2022-02-11 06:41:19 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2041838359 alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2041839250 I go through a field of greens whilst touching the tip of leaves that I dont know the name of. I look upwards, maybe looking for some sort of sign. Ive never been a believer but, right know, I want to believe. I want to feel like one with all of humanity. I want to feel like I belong here and that my destiny is written. 

However this thought has a short life. I quickly return to my daily activities. Thinking I'm responsible for everything that happens in my lifetime. But in the back of my mind there's always that wandering thought. What if I dont try to go agaisnt my nature? Maybe I'll start accepting myself, just maybe, I will belong somewhere. I know I still have a long road to go. This conscience that has been given upon me is what Im thankful for and I dont need nothing else. 
]]> 2022-02-11 06:42:21 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2041839250 Mindfulness pt 2. alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2041840089

I see the world in absolutes,
It either is white or black
No contrast, no pallet
Just two opposites
One might have a hard time understanding this
But it comes up to this 
Every decision can be resumed to simple terms
Yes or no
That is how i feel daily
Will it be black or white today?
]]> 2022-02-11 06:43:19 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2041840089 alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2041840329 Sometimes I feel Like the world that has been given to me is all a mess. 

Sometimes I feel I should be the one fixing all that mess. 

Today I know better. 
I know that even when the world is falling apart I shall remain at peace and keep my head high. 
Im not afraid of life anymore, It is not that hard anymore
]]> 2022-02-11 06:43:37 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2041840329 Informal Mindfulness alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2041844334 This week I will aim to focus on the activities of informal mindfulness. 

After reading the texts we were asigned on week 2 I have realized two things
-You can make any activity to be informal mindfulness
-You can find peace in routine. 

I must attempt to do this the next few days and I will come back with a conclusion.

See you in a couple of days.  :)
]]> 2022-02-11 06:47:49 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2041844334 alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2041844895 Today I got a shift on a sunday and it was, surprisingly, not bad at all. 
I realized that whenever I was at work I was constantly looking at the clock. This however, was a bad habit. I have learned to be at peace where I am and whatever happens to me its not necessarily bad. 

I have learned that I was happy only because I was forcing myself to work. But Its more about the approach you have to it and your ability to cope with situations. 

Im glad that I have found this kind of peace, I feel a little less heavy and more willing. 

Oh yeah these are my photos

]]> 2022-02-11 06:48:28 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2041844895 Mindfulness pt.3 alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2041848260 I love butterflies

They are a good metaphor to growth and progress. 

But they're also a metaphor for death and resurrection. 

Sometimes we have to kill bad habits for new, good ones to appear

]]> 2022-02-11 06:51:37 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2041848260 alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2041849605 I learned to do a bird too!

They will keep me company in my room and be a reminder of the importance of taking care of myself. Whilst performing the origami I focused all of my attention on how the paper felt on my fingertips. By doing this I was at the present moment and avoided rumination.

]]> 2022-02-11 06:53:06 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2041849605 Strenghts based therapy alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2041853635 This is a drawing I did from a building.

I am practicing to mention my strengths and be aware of them. One of my biggest strengths is that I am adaptive to challenging situations. I have just moved to Toronto but I already have established myself here. ]]> 2022-02-11 06:57:07 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2041853635 alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2041854778 This is  a drawing I did from a yacht club. 

Another strength that I should mention is that of being forgiving and non judgemental. I consider myself to be grounded and avoid prejudice.


]]> 2022-02-11 06:58:25 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2041854778 Behavioural Activation alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2055531418 This Week we focused on the importance of behavioral activation for patients with depression. I recall a time in my life where I used art as an activity that I enjoyed to better my sadness.  This became my behavioural activation activity that allowed me to cope better.


]]> 2022-02-18 16:16:27 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2055531418 alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2055556248 We also saw a video on MI. Which I considered very important to set goals and achieve success. These little drawings are representations of my "goals" over the years. The mountains on the side represent a time in my life when I thrived on nature. The words in the middle come from the indigenous language Quechua, they represent calm and stillness. And the upper drawing is a city, it represents my transition to Toronto. These all carry a particular meaning that has a direct link to the important things in my life. ]]> 2022-02-18 16:30:20 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2055556248 Cartons and Acceptance Therapy alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2066941762 ACT therapy is focused on identifying values and taking action. I did a cartoon version of myself and my partner doing things that help me move towards positive change. I portrayed myself as opening up and being honest with her. It's also a representation of defusion as the phrases in apostrophes are my thoughts worded in such a manner that I am not attached to them. 

These are all in Spanish, it is my first language]]> 2022-02-25 20:00:32 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2066941762 alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2066943119 In this part of the journal Im doing things (also with my partner) that help me have good attitudes and positive thinking. Some of these activities are reading, taking pictures or learning new things

]]> 2022-02-25 20:01:42 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2066943119 Solution Focused Therapy alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2092988628 This character that I invented has applied SFT and in a metaphorical way, he is moving forward on life. This guy that I named Victor contemplates a future time where he doesn't have to worry about paying rent. A couple of years go by and he is now debt free and able to pay rent. He has worked in little things that have made it easier to achieve his goals

]]> 2022-03-14 03:02:49 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2092988628 alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2092994280 For this part of the journal I portrayed a person that is fragmented. This represents scaling as the bottom becomes a wavy line, that represents a 1. The nose that occupies more space is a symbol for a 10. I wanted to recall a person slowly growing because of the positive changes in their life. ]]> 2022-03-14 03:05:44 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2092994280 Art Therapy alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2113013157 Art therapy has shown me a lot about myself. I learned that I have a healthier perspective of myself and that growth is noticeable. The last year I had set many goals for myself. However I did not feel as If I was successful. I felt rather empty with fake relationships. I have practiced being truthful with myself in the last few months and have managed to fix my expectations. ]]> 2022-03-25 02:19:45 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2113013157 alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2117906207 This art brought me feelings of challenging but happy times. The difficulties of life can sometimes be overwhelming, however there's always a way out. We must face our challenges with an accepting attitude rather than procrastinating. Challenges are here to show us a different part of ourselves. ]]> 2022-03-28 19:37:24 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2117906207 Group Facilitation alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2127290347 Today i was asked my role when doing group presentations. I mostly think of myself as a leader. However, when other people that like to lead appear, I step aside. I feel like this is my response to having an effective group work. Some leaders hate it when other group members step up. To avoid friction within the group, I like to let people do what they are comfortable with. ]]> 2022-04-03 15:58:00 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2127290347 alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2127291436 When grouped with others I certainly feel like this creature. I have much to say and can take a leader role. However I don't consider to have the best people skills myself so I might be a little shy. ]]> 2022-04-03 15:59:26 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2127291436 Consent and Confidentiality alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2127296088 Today in class we learned what a confidentiality agreement looks like. What resonated with me the most is the ability of the participants to leave the group and all their information is also eliminated. This is a creature that's retrieving their information after revoking consent. 
 ]]> 2022-04-03 16:06:08 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2127296088 alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2127298170 When talking about confidentiality I understood to a greater depth how support groups function. People feel safety when confidentiality is maintained, as they are more likely to open up without any remorse. If there was no confidentiality people will be certainly more concerned about appearances and criticism.]]> 2022-04-03 16:09:05 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2127298170 Final Journal alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2135664254 It's the last week of class and there's a lot of reflection going on. This last year was hard but I enjoyed learning. This class was very useful to understand what does facilitation mean and how does it look. I certainly have changed my perspective towards the field of mental health.

]]> 2022-04-08 02:29:09 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2135664254 alfredopenarreta https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2135666302 It's certainly a lot to take in.  But I have found that the field of mental health is my calling. I get excited just thinking about how many people I can help through different strategies that are proven to work. This course has been certainly something that I needed to grow as a proffesional. 

]]> 2022-04-08 02:30:55 UTC https://padlet.com/alfredopenarreta/degvrnceidz81sd6/wish/2135666302