Finding Joy In Overcoming Depression & Increasing Self-Esteem

Welcome to the Finding Joy series! Here I will be sharing activities that help me to find joy in my life despite whatever my current situation may be. My hope is that you can also find joy in your life. Whether it be through any of these activities I share, or hobbies and experiences that you love.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I’ve gone through a whirlwind of a year. One of the major moments I’ll remember when I think about 2020, will be the day I completed my balloon therapy (for self-esteem) project. Wondering what I’m talking about? Keep reading to find out, then stick around until the end for a special video showing my experience.

What Is A Balloon Therapy (for self-esteem) Project?

To be honest, this isn’t a technical definition for the project I did. However,  it was the best way I knew to describe it. The basis of this was to start with balloons that have a negative thought you’ve used to describe yourself. You then will pop them and replace them with positive words. It’s incredibly empowering to pop those negative thoughts. I believe doing a project like this will boost anyone’s self-esteem. For more self-esteem boosting tips, check out this article.

Why Do This Project?

This year has been the year of counseling for me. I started 2020 in a dark place, it only got worse as COVID and quarantine took over our lives. My depression was at an all time high and my self-esteem was at an all time low. In the beginning I didn’t feel like it was helping like I wanted it to. After a month or so of going to weekly counseling sessions, I started to feel a shift in perspective.My surroundings and situation hadn’t changed, but my mindset had. My depression score started getting better and better. I wanted to celebrate all the hard work I had accomplished. In comes the idea to do a balloon therapy (for self-esteem) project.

How It Works

I got the idea from a post I saw in a Facebook group a few years back. for a self-esteem photo shoot. I added a few things onto the original idea to complete my vision. Do you want to find out how I did it, and maybe do it for yourself?

1. I first wrote down a list of negative traits I think about myself frequently
2. After that I tried to turn each of those words into a more positive thought (for example “fat” became “becoming healthier”).
3. Now it was time to blow up the balloons & write both sets of words. 

**Tip: choose darker colored balloons for the negative words and brighter colors for the positive ones.

**Tip: If you decide to fill the negative balloons with colored powder, and why wouldn’t you, use crushed up chalk to make the powder. 

4. Now comes the powerful part. It’s time to pop those balloons and release the power of those negative words. 
5. Once you’ve finished those, get photos with the new words you will use to describe yourself.
6. My last step, besides cleaning up the mess, was to write about this experience. Here are some questions to get you started if you don’t know what to write.
   1. Why did you choose the words you did and how did it feel to write them down?
   2. What were you feeling/thinking about as you were popping those negative words?
   3. How did doing this project increase your self-esteem?
   4. How are you going to use the positive words to keep this healthy mindset you have now created?

The Balloon Therapy (for self-esteem) Project Video

I decided to document this process as a way to remind myself how far I’ve come in my mental health. I also want to inspire others. Even if you don’t pop balloons. I challenge you to make a list of negative traits and replace them with positive traits. Hang this somewhere you will see daily. Let me know if you decide to do any of these two ways, or if you’ve done a similar project. I’d love to know your thoughts.

This post is all based on my experience and opinion. By choosing to do this activity you agree that Budding Joy is not liable.